It’s here!!  The first order of business: Brownie Bake Off.  I have never used a convection oven before but with the Symmetry Double Ovens on my new range I have the option of both convection and standard baking.  So what’s a girl to do?  Bake two batches of brownies-one convection and one standard, just to see the difference.

We prepared two identical batches of box-mix brownies. And by “we” I mean the 9 year old and the 6 year old made them while Mommy took a nap on the couch.

This having kids thing is really starting to pay-off.

I used the range’s built-in Convection Converter button to set the convection oven properly (FYI the convection converter sets the oven temp to 25°F lower temperature so anyone converting on their own can just use the lower temp-same cook time) and in they went!

The verdict:  We didn’t really notice much of a difference between the convection brownies and the regular brownies.  They both had the typical crackly brownie top and moist center, and although they cooked at different temperatures, they took the same amount of time to bake through.  The only discernible difference we noticed was that the convection brownies stayed hot longer than the standard.  One nice advantage though is that the convection oven preheats super fast.  We tried setting both ovens to 400°F and the convection oven was ready almost 10 minutes before the standard oven.

I have had a couple of weeks with my new range (provided by Frigidaire as part of their Test Drive Campaign) and so far it has been a joy to use.  A lot of you on Facebook were curious about it’s features and I will try to touch on lots of them but please let me know if you have any specific questions!

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Only three working burners and the oven-not so much.  But I don’t have a gas hook-up and, though I have spent hours at the appliance store, I just could not spend the money on a new electric stove.  So when Foodbuzz announced that Frigidaire was Test Driving their new electric range, I thought: why not?  What if I threw my hat in the ring?  What’s the worst that could happen?  I could win the opportunity to test drive a brand spanking new electric range with all the bells and whistles??  Um, Yes Please.  Over here.

Well guess what?  I actually won.  I get to test drive (and keep? Yes? Please? PLEASE??) a Frigidaire Gallery Range with Symmetry Double Ovens.  I am so excited I can’t even tell you.  Not even.

FIVE burners and TWO ovens-one conventional and one convection.  I am so excited.  Thanksgiving is coming and I am actually excited to be hosting.  I cant wait to share it with you guys over the next few months!

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Here are a few recipes that I get excited about every summer:

• Strawberry Salad
• Mexican Coleslaw
• Asian Steak Lettuce Wraps
• Carnitas
• Chicken Fajitas
• Top Sirloin topped with Corn Salsa or Red Wine Sauce
• Hawaiian Martinis
• Banana Pie or Pudding
• Tres Leches Cake
• Texas Peach Cobbler

Do you have big plans for the fourth of July?  I don’t know what we are doing yet.  Houston has an amazing fireworks display but if you want to go you have to plan to spend the entire day staking out your spot.  I think I would much rather be relaxing around the grill, splashing in the sprinkler and lighting sparklers at dusk.  What about you?

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Everyone should plant a tomato plant.  Most plants just absorb-water, sunlight, affection, good intentions-without giving much back.  They might flower briefly or continue to look healthy but there is very little immediate satisfaction gained by caring for them.  Which is probably why I have never been a very good gardener.  Growing tomato plants on the other hand is just about the most satisfying experience one can have.  Water them and give them plenty of sun and every day they reward you with new flowers, tiny baby tomatoes, slightly bigger than they were yesterday adolescent tomatoes, and finally tomatoes so deep red and juicy they threaten to split their skins.

This tomato was my very first home-grown-in-my-back-yard-by-my-own-hand-and-with-my-own-sweat tomato and it was glorious.  I am seriously concerned about ever being able to eat one of those tomato factory “on the vine” tomatoes ever again.  It looks like a tomato, round and red, but it is so much more tomato!  The flavor is deeper, the flesh sweeter, and the seeds and juices aren’t jellied and watery.  The only disappointment is that I only planted two instead of a dozen.

I enjoyed my first home-grown tomato as an old-fashioned southern tomato sandwich and it was so much better than I imagined.  (...)
Click here for the recipe Old School Summer Tomato Sandwich

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Here are a dozen of my favorite recipes from the last two years-the recipes we make over and over behind the scenes.  There are so many more I could point out but these are the ones I couldn’t live without!  Also, you’ll notice there are no desserts on this list, the desserts need another list all of their own!

Heavy photo content coming!

1.  Tacos are one of our quick, go to crowd-pleasing meals.  They are cheaper and faster than our other frequently made favorites-chicken fajitas and steak fajitas-and they can be a really fun, special meal when you make your own crunchy shells.  And don’t forget freshly made pico de gallo on the side!

2.  Stuffed Pepper Soup is one of my most popular recipes-not only amongst my family but among friends and readers as well.  It is healthy and homey and filling and makes a great big batch for storing in the freezer.  It’s a cheap meal too, especially when stoplight bell peppers are on sale.

3.  Chicken Stir-Fry is another one of our quick, easy meals that everyone loves.  Any meal that gets my kids to clear their plate and ask for more?  That is a real winner.  Luckily the adults love it just as much.

4.  Roasted Tomato-Jalapeno Salsa is a staple in our fridge.  We make a double batch weekly and eat it as a snack, over eggs, or poured over goat cheese and baked until bubbly.

5.  Chicken Pot Pie is my absolute favorite comfort food.  It is easy to keep the ingredients on hand, in the pantry or the freezer, and this recipe has saved me numerous times when I needed to serve guests on the fly.  When I am craving comfort food and don’t feel like making a pie, I make Chicken Pot Pie Soup which is just on a whole ‘nother level.

6.  Spaghetti and Meatballs is the most requested meal in my house.  The kids absolutely love it and see #3 above regarding meals my kids love.  They also love this meat sauce but I think there is just something special about meatballs that makes the meal more fun.

7.  Hot Baked Spinach Artichoke Dip is another one of those highly requested party recipes.  It’s creamy and sinful and definitely for sharing!

8.  My Spicy Mexican Coleslaw is a staple at our barbecues and parties.  Many coleslaw hating friends and family love this salad and will check, when offered coleslaw, “Is this the one Katie makes?” before allowing it to grace their plates.  It’s a fresh and flavorful and bright salad compared to the creamier traditional version.

9.  French Dip Sandwiches are a favorite quick meal for mrChaos and I.  What’s easier on a busy weeknight than a sandwich?  Reubens are equally popular, although we make ham and cheese versions for the kids.

10.  Chipotle Chicken Salad is a light, healthy meal that is spicy and satisfying-especially with a scoop of Cilantro Lime rice.  It’s a salad that even mrChaos asks for and that is a very good thing!

11.  Baked Chicken Legs and Homemade Rice a Roni is one of the easiest, best meals you can whip up.  Kids and guests love it and the oven does all of the work, leaving you free to make the rice and relax for a few minutes!  How many meals can do that for you?

12.  Crockpot Stock isn’t really a recipe but has become something I make constantly.  Many nights a month, the crock pot gets loaded up with whatever bones we’ve collected throughout the week and the result makes all of our recipes so much richer and better.

What are your favorite recipes? These are just some of mine and my favorite way to keep track of them is via Google Reader.

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