"Every Artist Was First an Amateur" - Ralph Waldo Emerson

I do like a challenge. But right now I'm realizing something I really didn't consider in the beginning. I am really just an amateur cook. You may not know this. Yet here I come, joining the masses of cooks, contributing my ideas to add to your own kitchen menu. Today I learned that I need to do more research on cooking. I didn't know what a Dutch oven was. My mother never used a Dutch oven. In fact, I haven't asked them all but I doubt anyone in my family used them. So as I look at others' recipes online, I realize that mine may not come from the most experienced chef. Like Emerson said Every good artist has their beginning and I'll keep sharing family recipes I've learned or ones that I use. For all you amateurs, I may be writing especially to you. I hope you'll learn something fresh and new!

Here is an idea for those who never make homemade cookies except from Pillsbury's ready to bake cookie dough. I'll start with a confession. I've used LOTS of already ready to bake cookie dough and cookie bag mixes to make chocolate chip cookies. I've made homemade chocolate chip cookies before but the dough & bag mixes were just easier. If you find yourself doing the same thing as I did, here is a way to add just one more step and make it more unique. Take your favorite Chocolate chip bag mix and add a handful of Reese's peanut butter baking chips to the ingredients and you'll have chocolate chip, peanut butter cookies that melt in your mouth. You can also try a handful of M&M's or a few dashes of Cinnamon. You can try any one of these options or a combo of M&M's and Peanut Butter chips.

For those of you who never cheat and use a mix. Just add any or a combo of these ingredients to your favorite homemade chocolate chip cookie recipe. Who knew chocolate chip cookies could get any better?

*And another tip for beginners. If you like really soft cookies, try baking them for less time than stated on the recipe, just about 2 mins less and check on them. Often times your oven will bake them to fast. Remember when you pull them out they will continue to bake a bit more on the sheet. If they aren't ready stick them back in for another minute or two.

Sausage and Egg (my uncle's way)

My uncle is a Chef. He's been a chef for a long time. If there's anything I learned from him it's: Simple is often tastier. He could put a delicious meal together when you thought there was nothing to eat in the kitchen.

So here goes my first recipe dedicated to my Uncle Ernie who showed my my mom and me how to make this spicy sausage for breakfast. I find it very delicious and hope you enjoy!

Spicy Sausage and Egg: Breakfast meal

Spicy level - Medium

Serving size- 4 to 8

Recommended sides breakfast Potatoes however you like

Estimated Time to cook including prep time: 20-30 mins or until fully cooked

Definition of a dash to Me: How many times I shook my spice from it's dispenser into the concoction.

Needed Items:

1 Package of Ring Precooked or smoked pork or beef Sausage. You can use your favorite seasoned sausage. I've used Turkey Sausage before. (WARNING: Jalapeno or spicy seasoned sausage will increase the spicy level considerably). I ring will serve around 4-6 people (depending on their appetite).

6-12 Eggs (depending on serving size, I usually estimate 2 per person)

1/2 medium sized Yellow or White Onion (can substitute with onion powder)

2 medium sized Tomatoes (I like using Roma)

1 Jalapeno

Garlic Powder 5-8 dashes or more depending on your preference

Salt Just about 3-5 dashes add more if needed

Pepper 4 Dashes (My mom likes lots of pepper, for you pepper lovers use 6 if you like)

Olive oil or Vegetable Oil - only to grease the pan for eggs

1/2 cup of Water or more

8-30 count of flour or corn tortillas (depending on preference and how many your serving)

My number one suggestion is to keep tasting the sauce as you add each ingredient. The seasoning is something of preference. I don't like my food bland. I love garlic and don't use too much salt. Try my way and see if it settles with your palette but if not add or take away what you like.

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Chop up the onion into large 1 inch slices or however preferred and set aside

2. Slice sausage into thin 1/4 or 1/5 inch slices

3. Slice tomatoes into 1 to 2 inch slices

4. Slice jalapeno into thin slices like sausage

5. Put sausage, water, tomato, jalapeno and onion in pan

6. Add garlic and salt and pepper

7. Cook for a few minutes at Medium until sausage is well cooked, then lower to medium low or low watch and stir to avoid any burning. Tomato should begins to turn into sauce and should simmer add water if sauce is drying out and reduce heat if needed.

8. While sausage is cooking add oil to another pan and scramble your eggs. Add a small amount of salt and pepper to flavor. Shredded cheese is another good addition to the eggs. The sausage should be plenty flavorful.

When finished with your eggs. Set them aside.

9. Warm up your tortillas. A skillet always works great.

10. Sausage can be served on the side of the eggs or together in burritos. If you are serving on a plate, the spicy sauce is really tasty over the eggs. I always allow everyone to make their own burritos. That way they can fill them up as much as they like.

Giving them the option of Corn and flour tortillas is always nice too. Chips and Salsa may be a nice addition if your family love them as much as mine.

If you want a tasty sauteed potato recipe to add as a side, leave a message or Facebook me.

Also At the top of this post I have a picture of two of the best cooks in my life my lovely grandma turning 91 this January and my uncle Ernie- the best chef on earth.

I'm changing my blog

Hello to those who decided to read this blog and noticed a change.
I am deciding to share recipes with you all in hopes that it will benefit my readers. As of now I might not have any readers. But I have a blog and hopefully "if I build it they will come". Welcome new readers! A lot has changed since my last post. I am now married. I am married to an Amazing man who is serving our country in the Army. I currently am a substitute teacher and I have time on my hands to take care of my house, cooking and cleaning. I hope this blog will be fun for us all. If I get off the topic of cooking sorry. I am really good at being scatter brained. :-)