An Inspired Cook

An Inspired Cook
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    • Dreamy Chocolate Pie with a Pecan Graham Cracker Crust

      Posted at 12:10 pm by NativeNM, on May 1, 2020

      Some of you who are close to my age group probably remember when our Mom’s made simple desserts using pudding mixes and cool whip.  I’ve noticed on Pinterest that they are still as popular as ever.  I can see why everyone would love them, they are so easy to make and require no baking except for a pie crust.  Literally you can whip one up in no time!  I like to savor every bite unlike Joe who will woof it down in a minute.  With the days getting warmer it’s nice to enjoy a cool treat.  I added some pecans to the graham cracker crust for a little extra crunch.  It tasted so good, it might have been one of my best crusts yet.  There’s a layer of sweetened cream cheese on the bottom with dark chocolate pudding in the center topped with cool whip.  A few sprinkles of toffee bits are my favorite crunch to top this pie, although chocolate chips or bits of candy make a great topping too.  You could always change the pudding flavor to make an entirely different taste.  For example you could make a vanilla, banana or butterscotch pie, it’s all up to you!  White Chocolate is my next pie, what do you think of an all white pie!!
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      Posted in Pies and Cobblers, Recipes | 2 Comments | Tagged Cool Whip, Cream Cheese, Dark Chocolate Pudding, Dreamy Chocolate Pie, Pecan Graham Cracker Crust, Pudding and Cool Whip Pie, Pudding Pie
    • Staying Home in the Land of Enchantment

      Posted at 2:33 pm by NativeNM, on April 27, 2020

      Who could have predicted that our world would change as we know it in only a matter of weeks.  Do you ever wonder if the world will ever be the same again?  Over the past few weeks I take little for granted and am grateful for the little things that keep me grounded and help me forget all the madness.  While Joe and I are doing well, we recognize that so many families are sacrificing in ways I can’t even imagine.  When our governor announced a “stay at home” order, everything got real for me.  I have to admit I was nervous for days worrying about things I couldn’t control.  Once the shock wore off I picked myself up and decided to find something productive to do.  I got back to blogging but also started taking a diary of photos each day of our favorite meals and some views we spotted from our own backyard.   With Spring’s arrival not only have the birds arrived but also other dessert wildlife making tracks through our yard.  From sunrise to sunset I find beauty in things I took for granted only a few weeks ago.  Life continues on as things look normal outside even though the world around us is not.  May you all find something each day to give you peace and positive thoughts in the days ahead.  We are all in this together!  March 26, 2020, I woke up early to one of the darkest and richest sunrises I have ever witnessed.  The sky was completely covered in clouds of dark blue.  It was simply an amazing sight!
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      Posted in Uncategorized | 6 Comments | Tagged Cheli Cat, Land of Enchantment, Magic, New Mexico, Z The Wonder Kitty
    • Cranberry Orange Muffins

      Posted at 9:50 am by NativeNM, on April 16, 2020

      Earlier this week we had a surprise snow day.  After several days in the 70’s with warm breezes the winds changed to strong gusts and dropping temperatures.  What started out as rain quickly changed over to snow which blanketed much of New Mexico.  Days like these are perfect for baking. The warmth from the oven and aroma that fills the air is serenity.  I have a bucket list of recipes that I save for days such as these.  When the fresh cranberries were available I picked up an extra bag to put in the freezer.  They freeze just like blueberries and are great to bake with.  These cranberry orange muffins are so moist and flavorful.  I love the burst of tart cranberry alongside the sweet orange flavor.  This is my guilty pleasure of the week.  Sometimes you just need something sweet to brighten your day.
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      Posted in Cakes, Cupcakes and Muffins, Dessert, Recipes | 0 Comments | Tagged Cranberry Orange Muffins, Cranberry Orange Muffins with an Orange Glaze, Orange Glaze
    • Fruit Smoothie

      Posted at 10:05 am by NativeNM, on April 10, 2020

      Smoothies have become my newest comfort food.  The cool creamy flavor combinations make me feel better after having one.  Maybe it’s because they provide more fruit and vitamin D than I would otherwise have in an average day.  They taste great and you can put almost anything in them for a healthy boost.  Josh has been making them for years, adding an assortment of healthy fruits, veggies, nuts and seeds.  While Josh will add anything and everything, I prefer a variety of frozen fruit with yogurt, milk and honey.  I’ve always been one to pick up extra fruit on sale to put up in the freezer.  Some fruits that freeze well are berries, cherries cranberries, grapes, mango, peaches, pineapple and bananas.  You can also add citrus fruits to the mix such as lemon, lime, oranges and grapefruit.  It’s really all about what you have on hand and what tastes good to you.  This week I’m running low on milk and tried reconstituting instant dry milk.  It was a great substitute, you cannot taste any difference when you add the fruit, yogurt and honey. Two cups of frozen fruit will make approximately 24 ounces or fill 2 (12 oz) glasses.  I have been enjoying them a couple times a week and find them filling and refreshing.
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      Posted in Breakfast, Favorite Drinks, Recipes | 6 Comments | Tagged Best Fruit Smoothie, Frozen Fruit, Fruit Smoothie, Greek Yogurt, Healthy Fruit Smoothie, Honey, Milk
    • Smoked Sausage Teriyaki Skillet with Rice Pilaf

      Posted at 10:10 am by NativeNM, on April 7, 2020

      Smoked sausage skillet meals are so delicious and can be made with many different ingredients to make them savory, sweet or spicy.  I had some pineapple chunks in the freezer that would pair well together for a tasty teriyaki skillet dish.  Adding rice pilaf on the side complimented the sweet and spicy sausage.  With so much free time these days it made sense to assemble all the ingredients and start the prep work early.  Once that task was done it took no time at all to put it together.  I added some chopped onion and roasted red pepper to the mix but you can use other things that you have on hand including broccoli, carrots or any sweet or bell peppers.  For such a simple meal it won’t be soon forgotten.
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      Posted in Condiments and Sauces, Dutch Oven and Cast Iron, Entree, Recipes, Side Dishes | 7 Comments | Tagged Rice Pilaf, Smoked Sausage and Pineapple with Teriyaki Sauce, Smoked Sausage Teriyaki Skillet Dish, Teriyaki Sauce
    • Blue Corn Skillet Cornbread

      Posted at 10:31 am by NativeNM, on March 24, 2020

      Hi all, I hope every one of you are safe and well!  It’s been surreal these last couple of weeks to say the least as our lives have changed as we know it.  No more living in the moment, it’s all about planning.  Planning for how long we will have to stay at home, planning when to go out and get groceries plus planning for how much we really need or how long it will be before we can safely go visit family and friends. We take so much for granted and it’s going to be a sacrifice but we are all in this together.  We have communicated by phone with our kids, family and friends more than we have in years.  It’s not about the texting or emails, it’s just more reassuring to hear their voices to know that they are all okay!  I’m sure you all have similar feelings.  I’m also trying to be frugal and not waste anything, especially food.  I don’t always have fresh vegetables and fruit on hand but I have a pantry full of goods that I can make due with.  I went through my dry goods and found a package of blue cornmeal.  What a perfect time for some cornbread!   I had planned on making some black bean soup and cornbread would make it last a bit longer.  Looking through my cookbooks I found an old recipe in “The Progressive Farmer” cookbook that sounded a lot like how my Mom used to make hers, so I gave it a try.  It turned out so good!  And I found a bottle of “Monroe’s Red Chile Honey” in the pantry which was perfect to drizzle over top.
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      Posted in Bread, Dutch Oven and Cast Iron, Recipes | 11 Comments | Tagged Blue Corn Cornbread, Blue Corn Skillet Cornbread, Blue Cornbread, Blue Cornmeal, Monroe's Red Chile Honey
    • Breakfast Quesadillas

      Posted at 11:03 am by NativeNM, on March 10, 2020

      Anytime I don’t have a plan for dinner my backup is always breakfast.  Joe loves breakfast more than any meal so I try to make it special.  Recently breakfast quesadillas have been top of the list.  Oh, the taste of those crisp flour tortillas loaded with melting cheese, fried potatoes, bacon and fluffy eggs.  If that’s not enough you can add other ingredients including sausage, ham, green chile, red pepper, green onion, avocado . . . it’s really whatever you choose.  And don’t forget to spoon some salsa or green chile sauce over your quesadilla to spice things up.  It’s definitely a meal worthy of breakfast, lunch or dinner.
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      Posted in Breakfast, Dutch Oven and Cast Iron, Recipes | 4 Comments | Tagged Breakfast Quesadillas, Cheddar Cheese, Crisp Bacon, Fried Potatoes, Quesadillas for Breakfast, Quesadillas with Eggs Bacon Cheese Potatoes
    • Chicken and Veggies with Garlic Ginger Sauce

      Posted at 10:12 am by NativeNM, on February 28, 2020

      My favorite go to blog for Asian food is “The Woks of Life“.  This family of four make some of the most beautiful and authentic Asian dishes you’ve ever seen.  I have enjoyed learning their techniques and ingredients that go into Asian cooking.  After trying many of their recipes, I have to say they are always delicious and easy to make.  This recipe is my take on their Chicken and Broccoli with Brown Sauce.  This made enough for a meal plus leftovers for lunch the next day.  I went with veggies that my family likes and added some chili oil for a spicy kick.
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      Posted in Entree, Recipes | 2 Comments | Tagged Brown Sauce, Chicken and Brown Sauce, Chicken and Veggies with Garlic Ginger Sauce, Dark Soy Sauce, Garlic Brown Sauce, Wok Recipes, Woks of Life
    • Cookie Dough Truffles

      Posted at 9:52 am by NativeNM, on February 13, 2020

      Who doesn’t love truffles?  They really dress up a plate and taste so decadent.  I didn’t always have such a sweet tooth but as I’ve gotten older I appreciate a good chocolate indulgence every now and then.  A dollop of edible cookie dough covered in dark chocolate with a sprinkle of sea salt will make your taste buds sing!  Way better than a box of chocolates!   Once made they can be refrigerated for 2 weeks or frozen for a couple of month’s.  That is . . . unless you can’t help yourself from eating them all.
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      Posted in Dessert, Recipes | 4 Comments | Tagged Chocolate Coated Truffles, Cookie Dough Truffles, Edible Cookie Dough, Truffles
    • Brioche Cinnamon Rolls

      Posted at 8:28 am by NativeNM, on February 7, 2020

      I have a real weakness for homemade cinnamon rolls!  It takes all my willpower not to eat the whole pan full.  The smell of warm brioche, with butter, cinnamon and brown sugar is so intoxicating.  Since a snow day was in the forecast I went out and got my supplies ready for a day of baking.  There’s something special about baking on a cold day while looking out the window at falling snow.  When the time finally came to pop these rolls in the oven I was rewarded with such a wonderful aroma.  I couldn’t wait to drizzle the glaze over top and taste one.  They are so light and buttery with the sweetness of cinnamon and sugar.  As far as pastries go, these might be my favorite!
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      Posted in Bread, Dessert, Recipes | 2 Comments | Tagged Brioche Cinnamon Rolls, Brioche Dough, Buttery Cinnamon Rolls, Cinnamon Rolls, Homemade Cinnamon Rolls
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