The Hungry Wife

Last night I was staring in my refrigerator, looking for something to make for dinner.  It was the end of the week, the day before grocery day, and the options were limited.  I had thawed out some chicken pieces earlier, now I just needed to figure out what to do with them.  Flipping through one of my trusty cookbooks, I found the recipe for Oriental Chicken Wings.  I had all the required ingredients (chicken pieces instead of wings, but close enough), and even though it is cooked in a slow cooker, you can make it in two hours.  Perfect.
Oriental Chicken Wings, continued…

Recently I got the opportunity to review some baking products from Naturally Nora.  I asked them to send me the cake and frosting mixes necessary to make their recipe, Peanut Butter Chocolate Layer Cake.  My husband chose this one to fill his sweet tooth craving, and I must admit, chocolate and peanut butter is one of the best dessert flavor combinations.
Peanut Butter Chocolate Layer Cake, continued…

Herbed Adobo Pork Chops recipe is a wonderful alternative to breading and frying the chops, making them healthier and more flavorful.  Served with some fresh veggies, you can feel great about making this meal for your family.  It is quick and easy to prepare, making it the perfect weeknight meal.  The Herbed Adobo marinade would also be excellent on chicken breasts, if your not much of a pork eater.
Herbed Adobo Pork Chops, continued…

I can remember the exact moment when my love affair with Cheese and Beer Soup began.  I was 16 years old when I found a fantastic little German restaurant, it was in an old plaza with no sign on the outside, and it was fantastic.  Unsure of what to order, the waitress suggested to start with the Cheese and Beer Soup, and ever since that moment I’ve been hooked.  I’ve spent years trying to find another soup that even came close to that one, and was unsuccessful until I found this recipe.

Cheese and Beer Soup, continued…

Brussels Sprouts are in the Brassicaceae family, same as cabbage and broccoli.  They are a type of wild cabbage, and cultivated for their small size and delicate flavor.  Plants in the Brassicaceae family contain a chemical called sulforaphane, believed to have potent anti-cancer properties.  Although boiling reduced the level of anti-cancer compounds, steaming, stir-frying, and microwaving does not result in a significant loss.  If you have some picky eaters in your family, that like to avoid cabbage like the plague, Brussels Sprouts and Caramelized Shallots is your secret weapon.
Brussels Sprouts and Caramelized Shallots, continued…

Every recipe that I put on The Hungry Wife website has received the seal of approval from my family.  However, every once in a while a recipe comes along that completely blows our socks off!  And this is one of them.  Vermont Maple Syrup Pork Roast is the perfect combination of sweet with a little bit of spice, and a super moist roast.  Using real maple syrup is a must when making this recipe.  I don’t think you can beat real maple syrup.
Maple Syrup Pork Roast, continued…

Until recently, when I heard the word Schnitzel I thought of  something sausage like.  In reality, Schnitzel is a traditional Austrian dish made with pork or veal, coated in breadcrumbs and fried.  It is often topped with a sauce, and this is what determines the different types and makes them very special.
Pork Schnitzel Recipe, continued…

Shrimp and Grits are a classic dish found in lowcountry cuisine, which is cooking traditionally associated with the South Carolina Lowcountry and the Georgia coast.  They are a staple food in this area of the south, and are served for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  Spicy Shrimp and Grits is the ultimate food.
Spicy Shrimp and Grits, continued…

Making pizza at home is a great family activity, kids love to help out with stretching the dough and arranging the toppings.  Sicilian Style Pizza is a simple recipe with minimal toppings, but, by using your homemade Weekend Tomato Sauce this pizza packs a ton to flavor.  You can always add on a couple of your favorite toppings, some pepperoni or olives.  To make a traditional Sicilian Pizza, add some anchovy.
Sicilian Pizza, continued…

Mashed Potatoes are my favorite side dish, they go along with nearly everything (I think so at least).  I like them hand mashed so they are still chunky, with butter and salt.  That was true unti I found Wasabi and Green Onion Mashed Potatoes.  I never thought that wasabi would be something I wanted mixed in foods other than sushi, but it really adds something extra special to the potatoes.  The amount called for in this recipe is the perfect amount, just enough to add some flavor, but not overpower the other delicate flavors.  The amount of “heat” can be adjusted to you taste, if you wish.
Wasabi and Green Onion Mashed Potatoes, continued…

With the anticipation of fall food and Thanksgiving around the corner, I have been craving traditional comfort foods like your favorite bird, gravy, mashed potatoes, and cranberry relish.  In order to satisfy my desires I decided to cook up a mini Thanksgiving feast.  Herb and Mustard Turkey with Green Onion Gravy is the ultimate (and my favorite) recipe that meets this criteria.  To scale it down to size for a dinner for two, I used a whole chicken instead of a turkey.  This helped provide enough leftovers to make an amazing chicken salad and homemade chicken stock.
Herb and Mustard Turkey with Green Onion Gravy, continued…

I used to think that I wasn’t capable and it wasn’t worth my time to make homemade Tomato Sauce, but I couldn’t have been more wrong.  There is something extremely gratifying in making your own sauce, and I’ve come up with a recipe that is pretty simple, perfect for first time Tomato Sauce makers.  Using canned crushed tomatoes and a jar of ready-to-use peeled and minced garlic, makes this recipe a snap to make.  Due to the 5 hour simmer time, I decided to call this Weekend Tomato Sauce, because you can make it on a weekend when you have some free time.
Weekend Tomato Sauce, continued…

Everyone should have an amazing recipe for homemade meatballs, and these will not let you down.  Meatballs are simple to make, and it seems that everyone you talk to has a super secret meatball recipe.  Now you can have one too.  Something that I think is important to remember when making your own homemade meatballs, is to keep it simple and use fresh, quality ingredients.  Personally, that is what I think makes the best meatballs.  The recipe calls for using 80% lean ground beef.  Using a slightly higher fat lean ground beef adds additional flavor, and helps hold the everything together, keeping the shape perfectly.
Homemade Meatballs Recipe, continued…

Cooking with foods that are in season is one of the best things you can do.  Not only do vegetables and fruits taste so much better, packed with flavor, but you can get them from local farms.  This helps your local economy and the environment, and provides you with the best tasting food you can ever imagine.  The fall harvest gives us some amazing squash, and pumpkin is one of them.  Pumpkin is extremely versatile, and can be used in many more recipes then just pie.
Pumpkin Waffles, continued…

It is finally fall, even though it doesn’t quite fell like it down here in South Carolina.  With it still reaching 100 degrees during the day down here, hot soup is generally not on the menu.  But I just can’t wait anymore, I love soup and I’m gonna make it.  Soup season is officially on and what way to ease ourselves into it but with something hovering in the delicious middle-ground between broth and stew.
Sweet Potato and Sausage Soup, continued…

Every now and then I like to go meatless for dinner.  It is a great way to pack in all those veggies and vitamins, and get a super healthy and filling meal.  One of the best things about The Greek Salad Baguette is that you can make it as a sandwich like the recipe suggests, or you can serve it as a side salad.  It is so good both ways.  I particularly like to make Greek Salad Baguette with a sourdough loaf and serve with a side of couscous.
Greek Salad Baguette, continued…

Creamy Chicken and Mushrooms is one of my all-time favorite comfort foods.  The gravy gives me this warm cozy feeling, and this simple dish is full of subtle flavors that make my mouth water.  Slow cooking the chicken not only saves you from having to make a big meal at the end of the day, but it makes the chicken pieces so tender they melt in your mouth.  Creamy Chicken and Mushrooms is perfect for a chilly day or anytime your looking for some of that special feeling that only comes from food made with the heat.
Creamy Chicken and Mushrooms, continued…

I was given the task of supplying a dessert for my husbands company picnic this year.  Last year I brought a strawberry pie, which was excellent and went over really well, but the picnic also took place in June during strawberry season.  Since they moved the picnic to September this year, I decided to come up with something a little different.  Root Beer Float Cake was just what I was looking for.
Root Beer Float Cake, continued…

I don’t think I can ever have too many casserole recipes.  The great thing about casseroles are that they are really easy to make, and often can be assembled ahead of time.  There is a casserole recipe for everyone, whether your a vegetarian, meat lover, or on a restricted diet.  Ham and Cheese Noodle Casserole is The Hungry Wife go to recipe for a delicious, quick meal.  It is also great to serve for when guests are over, serve it with a nice side salad and crusty bread, so good.
Ham and Cheese Noodle Casserole, continued…

Banh mi is a Vietnamese sandwich made with a baguette.  There are several things that make this sandwich extra special: the meat has a super flavorful lemongrass marinade, which is excellent with pork, steak, or chicken; the pickled radish and carrots along with cucumber add a tart and cooling flavor that helps to counteract the spicy  jalapenos.  I promise you, you will fall in love with the Banh mi sandwich and will be craving one all the time.
Banh Mi Sandwich, continued…