TV debut on Rachael Ray

My 1st TV debut on Rachael Ray featuring Apple Sandwiches.  Thanks to everyone for the love and support and special thanks to my Mom for watching it with me and for teaching me everything I know and to my grandmother for always making me cook as a young girl.

Cheesy Chicken Meatballs

1 pk kraft fresh take SAVORY FOUR CHEESE bread crumb mix.  If you can't find this use 1 cup italian breadcrumbs and 1 cup shredded mozzarella instead. 
1 pk ground chicken
1 egg
1/2 cup italian bread crumbs
tomato sauce (if you are going to use jar sauce I suggest Ragu chunky tomato, garlic and onion

Pre heat oven to 375. 

Place cheese/bread crumb mix, bread crumbs, egg and ground chicken in a mixing bowl. Mix well and roll into small balls. Use a shallow baking pan, I use a shallow stone pan. Lightly cover the bottom of the pan with tomato sauce. Add the chicken balls and cook for 20 minutes or until chicken is cooked.

Simmer on low the remainder of the tomato sauce in a small sauce pan until the chicken is done.

Place cooked chicken balls in a large bowl and top with the remainder of the tomato sauce. Add your favorite pasta

Enjoy!!!!!!!

Grilled Shrimp Salad

This is so easy, filling and healthy for you.  All you have to do is grill some shrimp then add lettuce, crumbled feta, walnuts, crumbled feta, cranberries and balsamic dressing.

Healthy Chicken Chili

1 package ground chicken
1 10oz can diced tomatoes and green chilies
1 8oz can tomato sauce
1/2 cup water
1 packet chili mix
1 cup 4 cheese mexican cheese, reduced sodium, reduced fat
1 green onion chopped


Brown chicken and drain.  Return chicken to low heat and add (mix well) all ingredients except green onion and simmer for 15 minutes.  Top with green onion and extra cheese if needed.  To make it more spicy add some hot sauce to the recipe.  Serve by itself, over rice or with whole grain chips.

Italian Pasta Salad

This is my absolute favorite pasta salad.  It is easy to make and always goes over well at parties.

1 lb spiral pasta
1 1/2 cup cubed extra sharp provolone cheese
1 cup chopped sun dried tomatoes
1 cup chopped green olives w/ pimento
1 cup chopped black olives
1 cup chopped red onion
1/8 cup chopped fresh basil
1 cup balsamic dressing (i use good seasons)

Cook pasta and cool.  Add all ingredients and chill for 2 hours or overnight.  Serve.

"Celebration of Life" party

My girlfriend had a Celebration of Life party and asked me to prepare the food and decorate.  Below are some of the pictures from the party.  It was an amazing day and I am so grateful that she asked me to do this for her.

Fresh Ceviche

I catered my 1st party yesterday.  It was a celebration of life party for one of my friends and this dish was a hit.  I put them in small tasting cups so everyone had an individual serving.  It made the presentation look so much better then just putting it in a big bowl.  Your local party store should have these individual cups.  They were inexpensive and made the dish look so appetizing.

2 limes, juiced
24oz of Cooked Colossal Shrimp
1 package of crab meat chopped
1 green pepper chopped
1 red pepper chopped
1 small cucumber chopped
2 plum tomatoes chopped
1/8 cup of chopped fresh cilantro
1 tsp salt
1 tbsp minced garlic
1 small red onion chopped
2 tbsp orange juice (no pulp)

Mix all ingredients together and chill for 5 hours or overnight then serve.