Full Plate Thursday Where The Greatest Cooks On The Planet Gather It's hard to believe that this is the last day of January already. Yesterday was my Great Granddaughter Ella June's first birthday, where does the time go. We are excited about the Big Game Day coming up, like many of you we are attending a Super Bowl Party and we are really looking forward to our team winning, now mind you I haven't picked a team yet, but will sure have one by kick off time.  I sure am glad to see all of you today and can't wait to see what you are bringing to the party today, so lets get to it. This Is How I Filled My Plate Last Week Game Day Brunch Simple Crustless Quiche   at Posed Perfection Great Grains Barley and Breakfast   at My Sisters Pantry Poached Eggs with Avocado Tomato Caper   at Carole's Chatter Mexican Breakfast Braid   at Flavors By Four Healthy Fruit Smoothie   at Growing in Grace The Big Game Party Semi Slow Cooker Black Bean Enchiladas

Meal planning can be a real challenge sometimes, especially in a large active family with so many different schedules, health and nutritional needs. Our meal plans often reflect our cultural regional and family traditions.  I am a seasonal cook and that comes from our families farm background, in  preparing food  from the garden to table.

I love the Baby Bella Mushrooms especially for cooking.  When I was at the market the other day they had these beautiful Baby Bella Mushrooms and I stood there looking at them, ( they weren't on my list), and finally decided to get a bag full and develop a recipe that I could serve as an appetizer.  With the upcoming Big Bowl Game, it is a perfect time to present a tasty new recipe to all my friends. Baby Bella Bites Baby Bella Bites Miz Helen's Kitchen Ingredients For The Mushrooms 8 cups sliced Baby Bella Mushroom 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil 1 medium onion, chopped medium 2 large cloves garlic, minced 1/2 cup Worcestershire 4 Tablespoons Balsamic Vinegar 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon pepper 1/2 cup of the Vinaigrette from the Bread 1/2 cup water  The Bread 2 French Skinny Loaves 1 12 ounce jar Roasted Red Peppers Two Cups Mozzarella, shredded Ingredients For The Vinaigrette 1 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil 3/4 cup Red Wine Vinegar

I was reading an article a bout the extreme drought and what it had done to the crops and how we will be seeing the result of that in the spring and summer at the Market place.  I wonder if you have seen a rise in food cost in your area?  Meal Planning Part Two: The Budget will give you some tips on making those dollars count.  I am sure planning my garden very carefully this year to make sure that we have enough produce to preserve to make it through until the next spring.  Come on out to the garden and take a walk with me, I will show you what we have planned and we can go over next weeks Menu. Meal Planning Part One: Health and Nutrition   Meal Planning Part Two: The Budget Sunday Ranch House Casserole Mexican Salad Homemade Tortillas Southwest Brulee Monday Butternut Spaghetti Sauce on Pasta Tossed Green Salad Garlic Bread Tiramisu Cupcakes  from Debbie's Sweets Tuesday Pan Seared Pork Chops Roasted Sweet Potato Wedges Turnip Casse

  Full Plate Thursday Where The Greatest Cooks On The Planet Gather I sure am excited to see all of  you today, we had so much fun last week and some of the best food. I want to say THANK YOU to all of you who helped celebrate Two Years of Full Plate Thursday, the party was awesome!     We have had unusually warm weather this past weekend and we got to spend time in our garden for awhile. It is always so good to get outdoors and spend some time after the icy cold weather, but the weather man says the ice is coming back, so we have got some Apple Cider, and Hot Chocolate for you today.  I can't wait to see what you have brought today so lets get to the table and get started. This Is How I Filled My Plate Last Week Breakfast Spinach Egg Cup Wrapped In Turkey Bacon at Will Cook For Smiles Morning Snack Fruit and Veggie Smoothie   at Healthy Living Awaits Lunch Pork Sausage Rolls with Potatoes, Onions and Tomatoes at My Carolina Kitchen Chocolate Crepes with Ora

In  Meal Planning Part One: Health and Nutrition we looked at the special health and nutrition needs of our family and friends in making our meal plans.  Today in Part Two we are going to be looking at The Budget.  Maybe you are able to go to the market and spend whatever you want on food, however most of us are not in that position.  Most of us have a limited amount to spend on food every week so we have to make every penny count.  After establishing how much money will be going to food, then I hit the ad's for the local markets to see what will be on sale that week .  Then I hit my coupon keeper to check out what coupons I can use with those items. When my children were at home I planned my menu a month at a time and did my major marketing once a month.  I was able to buy in bulk and keep a well stocked pantry at all times, which saved money and time.  I always look at how long it takes to drive to the market, fuel to get there and how much time will I be there, I would

We have several family members and friends that are vegetarian, and when they are going to be here for dinner I like to make something real special for them.  This Butternut Spaghetti Sauce is a recipe that I developed just for them and they all love it. We grow squash, tomatoes and onions in our garden along with many herbs from our Herb Garden, this is truly a Garden to Table dish.  I recently made it for the Youth Group Spaghetti Supper for their Veggie Sauce, there was none left.  I sure hope that you enjoy the sauce.   Butternut Spaghetti Sauce Butternut Spaghetti Sauce Miz Helen's Kitchen 6 cups Butternut Squash, 1 inch cubes, roasted 2 cups Zucchini, large chop 1 cup Onion, large chop 4 garlic cloves, chopped 3 cups  mushrooms, cut in half 4 cups tomatoes, peeled, diced 3 cups tomato sauce 2 teaspoon salt 2 teaspoon pepper 1 tablespoon oregano 1 tablespoon parsley 1 tablespoon basil 1 teaspoon anise seed 2 tablespoons olive oil

We actually had snow and sleet here this week and it really felt like winter had arrived.  There is som ething real cozy about cold weather when you can sit by the fire have a comforting meal and sip hot c hocolate.  I have just made a pot of hot c hocolate with some milk that my neighbor brought me today from her milk cow, there is nothing like that good fresh milk. Meal Planning is such a bit part of our life, and I wanted to share with you my new post on that subject , Meal Planning Part One: Health and Nutrition ,  just go to that link to keep up with the series. These are the meals we have planned for Next Week. Sunday Slow Cooker Smothered Ribs Mashed Sweet Potatoes Green Beans Canned From Last Years Garden Kale and Grapefruit Salad Cottage Bread Carmel Apple Nut Bar   Monday Tomato Herb Focaccia Tossed Pasta and Spinich Salad Left Over Caramel Apple Nut Bars Tuesday Green Chili Chicken Bake Mexican Salad

Full Plate Thursday Where The Greatest Cooks On The Planet Gather The Winner of The $50 Gift Certificate In The Two Year Anniversary Give Away Is Tracey at The Kitchen Is My Playground You 'all are without a doubt the best followers o ut in blogger land.  Last weeks celebration was just awesome and thank you so much for stopping by and for all the precious well wishes.  I am so glad you could make it here today, there has been so much si ckness and bad weather.  We act ually had sleet and snow one day.  We are all here around the fire having some hot Coco so come on in and join us and lets see what you are sharing today, I know it will be fabulous! This Is How I Filled My Plate Last Week Breakfast Blueberry Pecan Breakfast Quinoa at Makin' It Mo' Betta Morning Snack Dried Fruit and Cereal Bars    at Pint Sized Baker Lunch Taco Less Salad Layered Salad   at Nom Yum and Free "50 Shades of Pink" Mini Valentine Ombre Cakes  

Focaccia is one of my favorite Italian Breads.  The Tomato Herb Focaccia was a winner from the moment it went on the table and it sure didn't last long.  I have served this Focaccia for an appetizer and a lunch with a great salad, it is a very versatile Focaccia, sure hope you enjoy it! Tomato Herb Focaccia Tomato Herb Focaccia Miz Helen's Kitchen Ingredients 1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast 1 cup warm water 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided 1 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon sugar 1 garlic clove, minced 1 teaspoon each dried oregano, thyme and rosemary, crushed 1/2 teaspoon dried basil pinch of pepper 2 to 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour 1 large tomato, thinly sliced 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese Directions In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in the warm water.  Add 1 tablespoon olive oil, salt, sugar garlic, dried herbs, pepper and 1 1/2 cups flour.  Beat until smooth.  Sitr in enough of the remai