Deb's Recipes

about me

I'm a happily married wife and mom of two young adults. In April 2007 I began working as a hospital registrar after nearly twenty years spent at home raising my children. I regularly help patients within minutes of their getting "the" bad news. Being kind and compassionate is very important to me. The shifts at the hospital are long, but my workweek is complete in just four days.

I've enjoyed cooking and baking ever since I was a little girl. I like spending time outdoors gardening and enjoying nature, but have lately developed terrible allergies that keep me inside. The tulips above are from my flower garden. I love the backlit effect of this photo. I consider a privilege those moments in which the goodness of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ shines similarly through me to bless the heart and life of another.

Recipezaar is the first place I go to find inspiration and motivation for cooking. It helps my husband and me to not be the ones who single-handedly keep our local pizza place and Mexican restaurant afloat! I love trying new recipes here. And watching one of my creations, Simply Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas, be enjoyed by many is a happy surprise.

Recently my daughter and I took a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Hawaii. We had a wonderful time during that glorious week on the beautiful island of Kauai where we hiked, kayaked, snorkeled, and discovered some awesome banana macadamia nut pancakes which were the inspiration for the Fluffy Banana Graham Pancakes which I created for RSC#12.

That's me at Poipu Beach. Be sure and check out your location on the visitor map posted here 1.26.08. If you think you might want to just go to Kauai for a real taste of island pancakes, check out my website below for some trip planning hints & secrets. And my sincere appreciation does go to all who have reviewed or photographed my recipes ~

Favorite Foods:

My husband's passion is hunting and so we are blessed with a lot of deer and elk. His dad worked for the state fish and game department and taught us how to process and cook the meat so that it does not taste gamey. I feel good about feeding my family wholesome meat that it is lean and free of hormones or other additives...but, only a teeny bit for carb-loving me.

Bill (DH) is diabetic and a very picky eater, which limits me in the kitchen. I cannot serve him chicken or anything containing nuts. His suggestion for a Dining on a Dollar Contest recipe was cooked chicken breast, cottage cheese, green beans, and ramen noodles all served separately but on the same plate. He did make a major stride a few days ago by actually eating a Panda Express meal!

Me? I love all kinds of food. Especially if you cook it for me...oh yeah! I'm not hard to please, but do have some textural issues: cheese curds, slimy oysters, rubbery squid, rattlesnake...ewww, No Thanks! My favorites are saucy pasta dishes, Baja-style fresh Mex, Asian stir-fry, frozen Snickers, homemade cookies, Laffy Taffy, hot morning coffee with fake Irish Cream, and my mother-in-law's highly coveted peanut brittle!

I've practiced my baking skills long enough now that I just might please you with some great fresh baked bread, rolls, or pie. I wear a big old-fashioned calico apron and a Caroline-Ingall's-style pink gingham sunbonnet (gotta keep the hair outta the food) when I cook for you, both home sewn and something my family thinks is pretty great...my way of creating happy memories for loved ones.

But honestly, as much as I love being in the kitchen when I want to, I like it when I don't have to cook. I enjoy carefully saving lottsa money at the grocery store and spending it instead on a nice restaurant meal with DH. I like to eat out, if possible, a couple days each week and reserve part of my entree for yet another microwave-warmed meal of leftovers. Cheers!

A couple favorite verses from my kitchen:

"There is nothing better for people than to be happy and to enjoy themselves as long as they can. And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits their labor, for these are gifts from God." ~ Ecclesiastes 3:12-13

"Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who trust in him!" ~ Psalm 34:8

http://www.tripadvisor.com/GoListDetail-i18098-You_Go_Girls_Our_Active_Kauai_Vacation.html