Thanksgiving Dinner

In case you haven't noticed, I haven't posted much lately.  I don't want to whine, but our finances are pretty tight right now so I haven't been able to cook / bake as much as I would like.  Including for Thanksgiving.  If you are a regular reader of this blog, then you know I always go all out for Thanksgiving.  I typically home-make 1-2 pies, and at least 3-5 side dishes.  This year it all came out of a box or can.  Sad, I know.  But I did make my own candy yams by adding spices, honey, vanilla, & marshmallows to a simple can of yams.  Mel's turkey is to the left of the yams.  It was only about 1 1/2 pounds, but it was pre-cooked & pre-seasoned since neither one of us has ever cooked a turkey before (and I'm a vegetarian); we decided it was easier to do a small turkey this way.  Yet, in spite of the very simple dinner (it was all prepared in less than an hour), it was all very good.  And even if we had only bread to eat, being with my husband - the love of my life - it would have been feast enough for me. 

My Other Blog

Feel free to check out my blog on married life:  http://thankful-julie.blogspot.com/

Hawaiian Cheesecake Bars

This is yet another Facebook recipe (it's actually a great resource for wonderful recipes!).  I made this last night.  Cheesecake, pineapple, & coconut - what's not to love?  So good, Mel & I both give it a 10!  I will definitely make it again!

A Whole New Name & Look

As I mentioned a few blogs ago, I was going to change my blog name.  I'll re-post the reason why I have changed it from "The Little red Cat" to "The Love Monkey":

"The Little Red Cat" name came from my late cat, Corin.  He was the most beautiful red Abyssinian with the best cat-onality.  When I was dreaming up the concept of this kitchen in 2010 it was around the time he disappeared and I decided that if I ever ran my own place I would call  it "The Little Red Cat" in honor of him.  Now that I am madly in love with the precious love of my life, I want to change the name of my imaginary cafe to honor the best and greatest love of my life. 

I have decided on "Love Monkey," because it's the nickname I use for Mel & I use for each other the most.  Which is why, as you can see by all the new sidebar photos, we buy each other stuffed monkeys a lot.  Wouldn't they look cute decorating a kitchen!

Hope you enjoy the new look!

Stuffed Jalapenos

I made these for Mel's dinner tonight.  This is another recipe from Facebook.  Since they are not vegetarian, I did not try them, but Mel gave them a 10 and asked me to please make them often!  The only thing I did different was that instead of Parmesan cheese, I used an Italian blend.  Mel picked out Italian chicken sausage for his sausage (I don't think it matter what type of meat was used).  Also, I thought fresh cilantro might be a nice touch so I added this as well (which Mel said was a great idea).  As requested I will make these often. 

Pumpkin Crunch

This is another recipe I got off of Facebook.  I would rename it" Pumpkin Custard Cake because it reminds me a lot of custard. It's very similar to a dump cake.  The only thing I changed is that it called for yellow cake, but I don't really like yellow cake, so I used white.  It's really good.  Mel only gave it an 8, but I give it a 9.  I would make this again.  It would be really good with a scoop of  eggnog or pumpkin ice cream -  maybe we'll buy some ice cream tonight!

Pot Pie Biscuit Puffs

This is another recipe posted by someone on Facebook.  This is so easy to make and only 5 ingredients (if you choose to add cheese).  Mel's were made w/ pre-seasoned, pre-cooked chicken and his veggie mix was a southwestern mix, with cream of chicken soup (2nd photo).  Mine was made with veggie beef, a traditional veggie blend, and cream of mushroom soup (bottom photo).  We both had cheddar cheese on top and our choice of seasonings.  It's hard to tell from the photos, but the filling goes all through the biscukt, not just on top.  Mel gives this a  10, but I give it a 9.  But I think it could easily be a 10 if I changed a few things.  First if all, I would change the cream of mushroom soup to cream of onion.  Then I would exchange the veggie beef for the veggie maple sausage.  So easy and good, I will make it again!

John Wayne Casserole

I made this for our lunch today.  I got this recipe from someone on Facebook (I don't remember who).  The pictures are horrible as far as presentation - it doesn't look as appetizing as it is.  Mel gave it a 10.  I gave it an 8 1/2, maybe 9.  I believe it would be a ten if I deleted the mayonnaise from the recipe as I did not care too much for the flavor of the mayo - or used a different type like the brand that has the olive oil in it.  Things I changed: I added fresh cilantro to the recipe.  It called for taco seasoning, but I had forgotten to buy it, so I used what spices I already had at home.  Also, I used canned diced tomatoes instead of fresh.  You're supposed to use dry biscuit mix blended with water as the base.  Well, Mel's was done right (I used garlic cheese biscuit mix) but I under estimated how much I needed & didn't buy enough.  So for mine I used  a can of butter flavored refrigerated biscuits I already had (I had only had 4 hours of sleep & didn't feel like driving to the store).  And I used 16 oz of sour cream (the whole tub) instead of just 4 oz. because it better covered the whole dish.  I added more cheese than it called for as well.  I made two pans and the difference between Mel's &  mine was that his had hamburger, jalapenos, and the above mentioned biscuits, and mine was made w/ veggie beef, no jalapenos and said mentioned biscuits.  I will make it again with taco seasoning & different type of mayo.   

A New Name in the Works

You may notice I changed the title of my blog by deleting the word "dream."  I used to call it my dream kitchen because I once had a dream to run my own little cafe.  I still love to cook, but it's no longer a dream to run my own place.  I am so completely content being a wife that my life feels complete.  Cooking & baking are still huge passions of mine and I love trying new recipes so this blog will still be here. And I especially love cooking for such a wonderful, appreciative, complementary man! 

By the way, in case I never explained it, "The Little Red Cat" name came from my late cat, Corin.  He was the most beautiful red Abyssinian with the best cat-onality.  When I was dreaming up the concept of this kitchen in 2010 it was around the time he disappeared and I decided that if I ever ran my own place I would call  it "The Little Red Cat" in honor of him.  Now that I am madly in love with the precious love of my life, I have want to change the name of my imaginary cafe to honor the best & greatest love of my life.  I would now call it "Soul Mates," "Love Monkeys," "Snuggle Bunnies", "The Happy Wife," or something along that idea.  So new name to this blog will most likely be coming soon!! 

Any ideas from viewers (and a new way you can leave comments) please e-mail me at jludeke@outlook.com.  All comments in reference to this blog, please subject "Blog Comment" since I use that e-mail mostly for junk mail.

P.S.  My dream kitchen would still have a red theme with lots of cat-theme gadgets, art work etc.

"The Little Red Cat" Menu Board for This Week

I'll be making these dishes within the next 2 weeks.  All of them are new to me except for the taco salad.  Looking forward to trying new recipes!