Oh the weather outside is frightful but inside it's delicious!

Along with the rest of the country, Colorado is having frigid temps and snow, however Coloradoans were the first ones to really be hit by this storm (although probably won't be hit hardest - no "thundersnow" here!) so we have been suffering through it a little longer than the rest which gives us a head start on... cooking!  


I've seen a lot of Facebook postings talking about stocking up on booze, snacks, pizza and other store bought crap but I happen to think this is perfect weather to try yummy new recipes that will keep you warm.  That is why I stopped by the store to buy a few additional ingredients on my way home yesterday knowing full well that my body would not be leaving the house for over 24 hours (if not more) and that if I was missing an ingredient: oh well! recipe would have to be modified cause my butt was not up to freezing.


First off is a recipe my friend Patty suggested the last time I posted some recent culinary accomplishments.  It is called Chicken in Garlic and Shallots and because I forgot a couple of things I made a couple of adjustments (just with the herbs) and in the future would probably add a lot more garlic cloves but it was if I do say so myself, awesome!! I really normally don't like chicken on the bone (I'm not sure why but hey, I live in the year 2011 and not back in 1901 so I can be that way) but this recipe made me not care about such a thing.  Plus, it was wwwaaaayyy cheaper than buying chicken breast.  The chicken was juicy, moist, tender and falling off the bone and the roasted garlic cloves were an explosion of flavor in my mouth.  This is definitely a repeat kind of recipe!! Friends don't let other friends not try this recipe (Patty, I can't believe you kept it from me for this long!!)!

Browned on the stove but pre-oven

Post-oven, doesn't it look wonderful?

I also made some Potato Bread, a really simple recipe (especially when it comes to bread) that is a real treat when you have it right out of the oven or later on after it has cooled or toasted with some butter or served along side some stew or any other way you may think of - just let me put it in my mouth already!  Many people seem to be unwilling to give bread baking a chance, especially if it doesn't involve a breadmaker but that is a huge mistake!  Making bread at home is an easy process and will give you olfactory memories you (and your family) will never forget.

This recipe makes 2 loaves or you can make them into rolls as well,
one is smaller cause I had already dug in when I took this picture!

And lastly a recipe that lives up to Neil Diamond's lyric of "crunchy granola's neat" because it was fun and easy to make, made the house smell fantastic and tasted better than any granola I've had recently (sorry Udi's Bakery but it's true).  I've been munching on it since which of course spoiled my appetite (you were right mom!) for dinner but who cares cause I don't have to set an example for anyone in my house!

Fresh out of the oven

Full of healthy goodness!

As always, happy to share any of these you might find appealing.  And if you live near me, are coming to visit soon or want to get together and have me prepare any of these I am happy to oblige! Stay warm!!