Hen House Diaries

Hello readers! Here it is, the fourth Saturday of October. Yes, it's two weeks later than we had originally planned to post our Food Networkers recipes. As it turns out, four new recipes in two weeks was a bit too much for us and we have changed it to a once a month thing. The fourth Saturday of every month is when we will be posting our recipes.

Clorie chose our recipes this month. The recipes were from Rachel Ray. I always have mixed results with Rachel Ray recipes. But I always love them because they are never exact. I love to experiment in the kitchen and change around the flavors. That makes her recipes perfect for trying again and again.

Appetizer: Monster Snack: Open-Faced Calzone with Spinach and ArtichokeThis recipe was very easy to make and is a great starting point for future meals in our family. I didn't care for the combination of ingredients. I would have liked more sauce and different toppings. That being said, I did enjoy it. The rest of the family hated it. It's not the most kid friendly of flavors. I will let this be the inspiration for the future. I'm thinking it would be really good with an alfredo sauce, replace the spinach and artichokes with caramelized onions and add chopped leftover beef roast. Also, less ricotta cheese.

Main Course: Stretch a Buck Turkey and Bean Burrito Burgers
This was a great burger. The only problem I had was the beans not wanting to stay in the mix while forming the patties. I think I would slightly mash the beans in the future. Other than that, I wouldn't change a thing. And the Guac. Mayo is TO-DIE-FOR. I could have eaten that with a spoon. If you tell anyone that I licked the bowl, I'll deny it.

Side Dish: Crispy Mashed Potato CakesI have never had much luck with potato cakes. They just don't like to stay together for me. I was expecting the same with these. I was pleasantly surprised when they not only stayed together, but came out somewhat crispy for me. They were very good. However, in the future I don't think I would go through the trouble of making the potato cakes with them. I will just serve them as mashed potatoes. In fact, I will probably do that for Thanksgiving.

Dessert: Super Stuffed Baked Apples a la Mode
My husband works third shift. He asked me if I had a plan for "those mackintosh apples over there". I told him yes, that I was going to be making something with them that day. His response was "Cool!" and off to bed he went. When he woke up I told him that I made stuffed apples. This was met with a responsive "Oh, really? I was hoping for apple crisp." I refrained form beating him and told him to make sure to heat it before he ate it. I couldn't send the ice cream to work with him, so he had to eat it without. When he came home he said "That apple was amazing! Forget whatever I said when I woke up." He was also very sweet and extra loving to me. I guess the old saying is true, the way to a man's heart is through his stomach. The kids and I loved this too and we did have the ice cream and redi whip on top. I did substitute cookies and cream ice cream because I didn't have the right kind on hand. But I don't think that mattered at all. It was the best apple dessert I have ever had. And I don't care for baked apples at all. This would work good with the apples cut up and the filling put on top as well. I might try that for Thanksgiving as well.

Steena is taking a break right now. But be sure to check out Laurie's blog and Clorie's blog for Their take on the recipes. And remember to come back in November to see what we make. All I'm saying is Paula Deen.