Semi-Home made tip

Being a mom can be quite time consuming and I don't always have time to make things from scratch (honestly, who does).  I don't mind the store bought croissants but it is always nice to have something a little bit different.  Here are some things that taste great in a pinch.

For a savory dinner croissant sprinkle garlic powder and parsley over each triangle before rolling it up.

For a breakfast croissant sprinkle cinnamon and sugar over each triangle.

For a dessert croissant place about 1 1/2 Tablespoons of chocolate chips near the top of the triangle.  Carefully roll up the triangle making sure to seal the corners of the croissant.

For each of the above bake according to package directions.

Zucchini bread

So I am a big believer that food should be more than just what tastes good.  I love the part in Ratatouille where the critic tastes the food and is transported back to a particular memory.  Food should be about bringing people together and creating memories together.  My grandma's zucchini bread is one of those foods that reminds me of Christmas.  For as long as I can remember she has made it every year for Christmas.  She spends hours making the bread in the mini bread pans and individually wrapping them.  When I eat her zucchini bread I think of how much I love her and all of the good memories I have.  That is what food is about.


The zucchini bread is moist and dense, exactly how I think it should be.  I lather on the butter and I even like putting a little, or a lot depending on the mood, of strawberry jam.  Speaking of strawberry jam, that is just another food that makes me think of my childhood.  My mom makes the best strawberry jam that I love to put on everything.  She doesn't make it as frequently anymore but when she does I savor every last drop.  Bake, share, and enjoy, because that is really how it should be done.

Zucchini Bread

3 eggs

1 cup oil

2 cups peeled, grated zucchini

1 tsp vanilla

2 cups sugar

3 cups flour

1 tsp salt

1/4 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

3 tsp cinnamon

1 cup raisins

1/2 cup nuts (optional)

(If you have a blender, zucchini can be made up that way until smooth).  Beat eggs with electric mixer until foamy.  Add oil, zucchini, sugar, and vanilla.  Mix well.  Add all dry ingredients except raisins and nuts.  Mix in well and beat at medium speed for 2 minutes.  Fold in raisins and nuts.  Grease and flour 2 loaf pans.  Pour 1/2 in each pan.  Place on lower rack.  Bake at 325 degrees for 60 to 80 minutes.  Test doneness with toothpick.  Let cool 10 minutes.  Turn onto wire rack.

Loco Pollo (gf)

Tonight (yes, I said tonight, I am way on top of things today) I made my mother's version of El Pollo Loco's chicken. This is just really good chicken. Followers of my blog will know how I love simple recipes that don't take much prep work. That doesn't mean that every recipe I make is like that but we're a busy family so easy is key for us at this point. This chicken is great because the marinade takes less than five minutes to make and you can just throw the chicken in and forget about it.

It takes about 40 minutes to cook but it doesn't take a lot of maintenance which is also great. Using bone-in chicken breasts makes for really juicy meat and the skin is awesome. I love to serve this with Mexican rice (recipe to follow), black or pinto beans, and Blender salsa. Super simple but great taste! Cook and enjoy!

Loco Pollo (gf)



¼ c. corn oil
¼ c. melted butter
½ tsp. onion powder
½ tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. annatto powder or few drops yellow food color
¼ tsp. ground cumin
2 tsp. lemon juice
1 (2 ½ to 3 lb.) chicken, halved

Combine oil, butter, onion powder, garlic powder, annatto powder, cumin, and lemon juice in large shallow pan. Add chicken halves, turning to coat well. Cover and marinate several hours or overnight.
Remove chicken from marinade, cook over medium coals on barbeque grill, or 4- inches from source of heat under broiler, until browned on both side and meat is done, turning and basting frequently, about 25 minutes.
Cut chicken halves into pieces to serve with beans and rice, corn or flour tortillas and salsa, if desired. Makes 6 servings.

Family preference is bone-in chicken breasts.

Crock pot Mole Chicken Enchiladas

Homemade Fajita and Taco Seasoning

Mexican Rice

Homemade Horchata