I wrote a posting last week telling all about my culinary adventures…but as I went to post it to the blog, an error occurred and everything I wrote disappeared.  The system error was fixed…but I am sad to say that my editorial was lost forever.  It was sharing some of my favorite meals we had enjoyed recently…so I want to try it again! 
 

My very favorite was a meal around our FANTASTIC Tomato Basil soup (some of you have asked me what my favorite mix is…and this time of year I most often reply Tomato Basil Soup.) This particular meal I was experimenting with a Panini Maker I had received for Christmas.  I took 2 thick slices of country style bread and coated each with a paste made from HG Garlic Basil Seasoning and Olive Oil.  I then put a slice of Provolone Cheese on each piece of bread and a slice of tomato.  I closed the sandwich and grilled it till the cheese melted.  I can taste it now…in fact, I think I need to make that meal again tonight! 
 

Later that week I took the leftover Tomato Basil Soup and reheated it with a little cornstarch to thicken it up.  I boiled some cheese ravioli from the grocery freezer section and served it with the Tomato Basil Sauce.  The side dish was a salad made with fresh greens, diced apple, chopped pecans and some blue cheese crumbles.  This was all tossed with HG Lemon Poppyseed Dressing.  Out of this world good!  When dinner was done, I pulled the greens out of the left over salad, since they would wilt if I saved them, and kept the apples, pecans and blue cheese coated in the dressing.  The next day I had that as a side with a sandwich for lunch…WONDERFUL! 
 

Let’s see…what else did I write last week?  Oh ya…a fun and fast impromptu skillet dinner we all enjoyed.  My kids love the HG Spanish Rice, and I was in the mood for it, but not in the mood to make a Mexican Meal around it.  I was suddenly inspired to pull some cooked ground beef from the freezer, some frozen corn and the HG Spanish Rice Mix.  I followed the directions for the rice, and just added the ground beef and corn to the cooking process.  When it was done, I topped it with some shredded cheddar cheese, covered the skillet to let the cheese melt and served a delicious meal my family wants me to make again.  Next time I think I will add a can of diced chilis.  Oh ya ~ it has to be served with HG Maria’s Hot Sauce as a condiment…this was the thing that made the meal better than good. 
 

I have made more great meals since this…but I have rambled on today.  I’ll post again soon with the other dishes we have tried.  By the way….what have you made lately?!
 

God Bless and Keep You,
Tami

To help us all warm up a bit from the cold temperatures, let’s think ahead to the green of spring and St. Patrick’s Day! Tell us what recipe YOU like to prepare, using Homemade Gourmet, that is GREEN. Do you have a favorite salad? Green beans? Asparagus? Other vegetables? OK… it doesn’t HAVE to be green, but it does need to be a side dish or vegetable.

Just post your recipe here by midnight (CST) February 28, 2007 to be eligible to win. The Top 3 recipes, as judged by our esteemed panel of judges, will receive a delicous Lemon Poppy Seed Seasoning Mix to use as a salad dressing or marinade! YUM!

Good Luck to all-