Vanilla Cupcakes with Butter Cream Frosting

Who doesn't LOVE cupcakes? Whether you like vanilla or Chocolate frosting, I got you covered!

Rosemary & Olive Oil Focaccia Bread

Rosemary & Olive Oil Focaccia Bread

This is probably one of my favorite things to eat and it brings back great memories of going to North Beach with my Dad as a kid.
You can make this tons of different ways once you get the basic dough down. Raisins are a great addition if you want to turn this into a sweet bread. 

Oatmeal, cranberry, walnut cookies

Oatmeal, cranberry, walnut cookies

Who doesn't love a good oatmeal cookie? I mixed two of my favorite things (dried cranberries and walnuts) into the batter and out came these moist, chewy, scrumptious cookies the our whole family cannot get enough of! Check out this and more at my website www.mommyswamy.com

Chicken Stew

Absolutely the BEST homemade chicken stew for hot or cold days!

My mother-in-law is a fantastic cook and shared this recipe to feed my family of six. There are always leftovers and they are even better the next day. 

Add your own combination of veggies and share your creations with me!

Indian Dal

Indian Dal soup is one of those dishes that just makes you feel good when you eat it. Somewhat similar to the traditional green split pea soup so many of us are used to seeing, but kicked up a few notches with some amazing spices! You will not regret this one! Grab some rice or naan bread and Enjoy!

Easy Banana Fritters

Looking for a quick sweet treat that will knock everyone's socks off in less than 10 minutes? Check out these banana fritters. These were one of my Dad's favorites and my husband absolutely LOVES them. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream and you can take these sweet treats to the next level and beyond. Try them tonight!

Italian Spicy Red Pepper Pasta

You will not find this one on many (if any) Italian restaurant menus. This is one we save "per la famiglia" (for the family)...Every person I have met who has tried this pasta absolutely CRAVES it again and again. It is simple, yet full of flavor and has a real nice kick! You can adjust the amount of red pepper to your liking, but we believe more is better! True story, one time my Auntie Charlene made the pasta so hot we had to keep a box of tissue at the dinner table...but we kept shoveling it in!!!

Italian Almond Cookies

Did someone say Italian cookies?

I remember getting these delicious cookies (and some biscotti) all the time when we would go to North Beach in San Francisco when I was young. Danilo's bakery was the spot! Unfortunately I heard it is closed now, but I sure do have some great memories with my dad there!

Looking for an authentic and tasty Italian dish? Try this Chicken Parmesan!

Sliced Baked Potatoes

Looking for an easy but impressive side dish? These potatoes are super easy, and what a stunning presentation. These will light up any plate!

Find this and more at www.mommyswamy.com

Crispy Baked Chicken Wings with Honey, Soy, Garlic Sauce

Forget the deep fryer! These wings are so crispy and really moist and delicious! I made a honey, soy, garlic sauce to drizzle and the combo was fantastic! Check out this recipe and more on www.mommyswamy.com!

Enjoy your Saturday my friends!

Indian Tomato Chutney...YUM!

Some of you who know me more personally might be wondering where all the Indian recipes are...so here is the first of many! Enjoy!

Cranberry Sauce with Cinnamon and Vanilla

If you love Cranberry Sauce like I do...Eat This!

I know that Thanksgiving is no where in sight, but I love cranberry sauce and look for excuses to eat it throughout the year, When you can get your hands on some fresh cranberries, try this recipe! You can thank me later.

Enjoy your day!
Mommy Swamy
www.mommyswamy.com

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Happy Cinco de Mayo my friends! Our usual go to dish for this celebratory day is chicken enchiladas. These are really delicious all year! I make some rice and beans on the side and some pico de gallo and we are set!

These enchiladas are really easy and oh so scrumptiously mouth wateringly yummo! I have found the fastest, easiest, and most moist chicken to use is the precooked whole rotisserie chicken they sell in stores hot foods sections these days. Not only are they good for a chicken dinner night, but the succulent moist rotisserie chicken makes the enchiladas melt in your mouth!


Chicken Enchiladas

1 pkg corn tortillas
1 whole rotisserie chicken
1 large can enchilada sauce
1 package shredded cheese
Your choice of toppings: try olives, onions, cilantro or some pico de gallo (recipe below)
As you ca see from the picture here, this recipe makes a lot of enchiladas!

Warm the Enchilada sauce in a pan on low heat
Pick all the chicken off the bones and shred by hand
To assemble, take a tortilla, dip it in the enchilada sauce, place it in your baking dish and fill with chicken and cheese.
Then gently fold over the edges and turn the whole enchilada so it is seam side down in the pan
Repeat this process until your pans are full and your ingredients are gone.
Pour remaining enchilada sauce over the top and sprinkle with cheese cheese.
Bake at 325 degrees for about 20 minutes or until cheese is melted and browned to your liking.


Pico de Gallo

4-6 tomatoes

1/2 medium onion

1 whole Serrano chili pepper (or more if you can stand the heat)

Cilantro to taste

Salt to taste and sometimes I add a sprinkle of garlic powder too!

Chop up the tomato, onion and pepper and place in a bowl

Add cilantro and seasonings, stir and enjoy!

What is your favorite festive dish for today?

Ground Turkey Pasta Sauce

What would life be like without pasta? For as long as I can remember we have always had pasta for dinner. Even when we had a main course there was always a side of pasta. Ahhh...such is life in an Italian household.




Over the years our preferences have changed a little, but nonetheless...it's PASTA night!


These days I use ground turkey instead of any beef or pork products. When I want to splurge I will get some turkey Italian sausage and add that for some additional flavor. Once you get the basics down, you can add your own spin and use the sauce for lots of other recipes, like lasagna!

This is one meal that, if there are left overs, lasts for a few days. Throw some garlic bread in the oven and you will have a happily full family!




Ground Turkey Pasta Sauce

Turkey meat:
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound ground turkey
1-2 cloves garlic (to your taste) sliced thinly
1 jar or 2-3 cans of your favorite sauce (mine is Contadina)
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (1/2 with meat, 1/2 with sauce)
1/4 or less of an onion sliced
2 teaspoons of sugar
touch of salt
Sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
splash of your favorite wine (optional)

Brown the turkey meat in 1 1/2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a large skillet seasoning it with 1/2 tsp of the salt, and Italian seasoning.

I usually let it go on medium high without stirring for a few minutes to get those little brown bits on the bottom of the pan...you can thank me later :)

Once the meat is done take it out of the pan and set it aside while you start the sauce. DO NOT RINSE THE PAN! That is where you will get your all day cooked taste and a richer meat flavor.

Sauce:
Add remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons of olive oil to the pan on medium heat
Add thinly sliced garlic and red pepper flakes.
Let the garlic get just blonde (light brown) in color. Over browning will cause the garlic to be bitter.
Let this mixture fry about a minute or so until you can smell the pepper flakes toasting.
Add the onion and let fry for about 30 seconds
Immediately add your tomato sauce, BE CAREFUL! it will splash.
Add sugar and wine, then salt to taste
Let this simmer for about 5 minutes then add the meat and simmer about 20 minutes or longer if you like. I have let it go a few hours before on super low heat. The house will smell fantastic!

Put over your favorite type of pasta and don't forget the garlic bread and salad!

I'm Back...with Apple Pie !

It recently occurred to me that I have neglected this page a great deal. I have been busy working, moving, and raising my family, so now that things have slowed down a bit...I am back. I am working on a website as well...so keep your eyes peeled for that too!

I have made an array of scrumptious goodies since my last post and the "chef" in me is always taking pictures, so here is an update of some of my most memorable to catch us up...enjoy!

First up...the beloved traditional Apple pie...oh so gooey and yummy when it is piping hot out of the oven with vanilla ice cream!

Apple pie - 

Crust:
1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon of salt
1/3 cup of COLD butter
6 tablespoons of cold water

Filling:
6-7 apples, whichever kind you like
1 teaspoon vanilla
3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/4 cup regular sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon cornstarch *optional

I add the cornstarch and brown sugar because I like the darker more gooey filling. Feel free to change yours up and share the results with me!

Crust:
Mix flour and salt together

Cut in the butter with a pastry knife or two knives. If you use a food processor be sure not to over mix the dough or it will become tough.

**Tip: If you put your butter in the freezer for about 15 minutes and then grate it into the mixture it will hold together better for you and be in the perfect small pieces.

Add the water one tablespoon at a time. You want the dough to stick together and form a ball, make sure it is not too sticky. Again, be sure not to overwork the dough.

Flour your work surface and roll out the dough until it is just a bit larger than your pie pan.

Transfer the dough to the pan and crimp the edges to make them pretty.

Fill with your favorite pie filling and bake as directed.

Fill with your favorite pie filling and bake as directed.

Apple filling:

Mix all ingredients together and fill your crust.

*Tip: Cover the edges of the pie with foil after the first 15 - 20 minutes to prevent excess browning.

Bake 40 - 45 minutes or until apples are tender and crust is golden to your liking. Cool on cooling rack for about 2 hours and then serve. Unless of course you are devouring it right away a la mode then by all means...Bon Appetit!