Herb Garden!

What's growing in your Herb Garden? Or along your windowsill? Or at your local farmers market or even the produce aisle of your favorite supermarket? Well, it is time to pick and chop some of those lovely herbs and make a Mark Bittman recipe that features them.

That's right it is all about the Herb Garden this week at I Heart Cooking Clubs.

Definition please?

• An herb is defined as "a plant that is valued for flavor, scent, or other qualities."

• Culinary use of the term "herb" typically distinguishes between herbs, which are from the leafy green parts of a plant, and spices, which come from other parts of the plant, including seeds, berries, bark, root and fruit.

• Culinary herbs are distinguished from vegetables in that, like spices, they are used in small amounts and provide flavor rather than substance to food.

Whether you are a lover of basil or chives, a fanatic for cilantro or mint, crazy for oregano or marjoram, or maybe like Simon & Garfunkel, it is parsley, sage rosemary and thyme that inspires you, trust us, there is a Bittman recipe for you. Find a recipe that features fresh herbs from one of his books or online, or if you can't find them fresh in your area, use dried herbs instead.

Make and post your Bittman Herb Garden recipe by Sunday, June 6th. Don't forget to link your post of the week's permalink with Mr. Linky, below, so we can all enjoy your fabulous herbalicious creation! Remember to leave a comment after, each week that you use Mr. Linky to link your post, just to be sure we don't miss anyone.

Not sure what a permalink is? Check out our Welcome post.

BTW--If you missed having Garlic Breath last week, you can check out what kept the vampires away from your fellow IHCC participants by checking out the links to their posts here.

I Heart Cooking Clubs *Herb Garden* Participants

1. girlichef~ White Bean and Roasted Garlic Purée (with THYME) 2. Giovanna 3. Kim- Risotto with Fresh Herbs 4. Beth Anne - Linguine with Garlic and Herbs 5. Denny - Cilantro “Pesto” with Ginger and Chile 6. Claudia - Pasta with Sardines and Herbs

7. Joanna@GoAhead&Snicker-Summer Rolls with Basil Dipping Sauce 8. Maggie-Sage and Balsamic vinegar chops 9. Joanne - Sauteed Cauliflower with Feta and Mint 10. Natashya - Pasta Salad with Beans and Herbs 11. Comfy Cook - Swoon over Herb Roasted Chicken 12. Lexi @ Big Momma and Me (my new blog)

13. TheBurmesemom 14. Tiff- Breadsticks 15. Michael and Carla - Lechon Asado 16. DebinHawaii--Chicken Salad with Fresh herbs 17. Zibi - Spare Riba

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Garlic Breath!

Aaaaaaahhhh...the stinking rose.  Love it or leave it, baby.  That beautiful bulb known to all as GARLIC!  That is what we're focusing on this week here at I Heart Cooking Clubs.  Garlic is a healer of ails...garlic is an aphrodesiac...garlic keeps away the 'squiters (and maybe even those pesky vampires).  It's a magical food.

Some people celebrate and want to let the whole world know how much they adore it!  I totally want myself a few of those chic accessories! 

It's easy...simply find a Mark Bittman recipe featuring GARLIC! And I'm talking FEATURING GARLIC here, people! It's just one week. For those of you who can't get enough of it, this should be easy (or hard...too many recipes to choose from!). For those of you who are a bit fearful of garlic, now is the time to take a risk...embrace that stinking rose for once...you could be a convert!

One hint...if a recipe actually uses the word GARLIC in the title, it probably features garlic as one of the main ingredients...there are so many options, please join us in our Garlic Love Fest. Or would you prefer Vampire Banishing Party? Or gathering to cure all that ails ya? Either way, we can't wait to see what Garlicky dishes you bring to the table this week!  So, come on....

Post your Bittman Garlic Breath! themed recipe by Sunday, May 30th and don't forget to link your post of the week's permalink with Mr. Linky, below, so we can all enjoy your fabulous Garlic-breath-givin' creation!

Remember to leave a comment after, each week that you use Mr. Linky to link your post, just to be sure we don't miss anyone.

Not sure what a permalink is? Check out our Welcome post.  And if you missed the POTLUCK last week, you can check out what everybody brought to share HERE!
I Heart Cooking Clubs *Garlic Breath!* Participants

1. Claudia - Beets With Garlic-Walnut Sauce 2. DebinHawaii--Osso Buco with Gremolata 3. Tina Marie - Garlic Honey Chicken 4. Kim-Pasta with An Entire Head of Garlic 5. Joanna@GoAhead&Snicker- Garlic Grilled Artichokes w/ Garlic Aioli

6. Joanne - Roasted Garlic Soup 7. girlichef~ Two garlicky meals... 8. Rosabela-Hummus 9. Natashya - Garlic-Mushroom Flans, and Caesar Salad topped with Garlic Shrimp 10. HoneyB

11. Fear of Hubby and IHCC 12. Jenny - All Things Edible - spaghetti and meatballs 13. Mary w/Mushrooms and Garlic 14. Denny - Garlicky Mashed Potatoes 15. Tiff- Braised potatoes

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May Potluck!

It is Potluck time at I Heart Cooking Clubs!

What will you be making this month? Dainty high tea sandwiches? Robust curry and naan? Soft and gooey chocolatey chip cookies? The perfect steak on the grill? Healthy smoothies? Soup or sammies? Could be anything, the choice is all yours!

Whip up a great dish, whatever strikes your fancy, for May's Potluck - using one of Mark Bittman's recipes from his books or online. Hook your post up to Mr. Linky, below.

And have you had a chance to check out all the great Movie Night dishes yet?

Photo from Crazy Orange Turtle's Gluten-Free Kitchen.

Post your Bittman Potluck themed recipe by Sunday, May 23th and don't forget to link your post of the week's permalink with Mr. Linky, below, so we can all enjoy your fabulous potluck creation!

Remember to leave a comment after, each week that you use Mr. Linky to link your post, just to be sure we don't miss anyone.

Not sure what a permalink is? Check out our Welcome post.

I Heart Cooking Clubs *May 2010 Potluck!* Participants

1. Yvette - Everyday Pancakes 2. girlichef~ Curried Rice with Chickpeas 3. Tiff- Drizzle Sauce 4. Beth Anne - Pork Tenderloin with Mustard Curry 5. Chaya - Bittman Makes Life Easy Pasta 6. Chaya - Savory Sausage Muffins 7. Joanne - Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

8. Natashya - Herbed Spaetzle 9. Kim-Vietnamese Caramelized Grilled Pork & Chive Salad 10. Maggie - Tomato Jam 11. DebinHawaii--Cod Cakes with Ginger, Cilantro & Scallions 12. Tina Marie with Grilled Pork Chops 13. Joanna@GoAhead&Snicker- Shrimp and Mango Salad 14. HoneyB

15. Denny - Focaccia Bread 16. Domestic Kate - Strawberry Muffins 17. Mike and Carla - Pork Schnitzel 18. Claudia 19. Judi - Rhubarb Crisp 20. Mary-Classic Lasagne, Bolognese Style

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It's Movie Night!

Are you ready for the next mission here at I Heart Cooking Clubs?

Your mission, if you chose to accept it, is to make some tasty creations for Movie Night!


Maybe you'd like to enjoy some good old fashioned popcorn with your movie, or perhaps a dip or even some roasted nuts are in order. Any snack or appetizer is definitely fair game on movie night!


You might even enjoy a theme night, such as Italian night, Kids Night, Southern Night, or even Vampire Night.

In the mood for a little Godfather marathon or perhaps a night with some Goodfellas? In that case, bring on the garlic and don't forget to slice your garlic thin, Goodfellas thin to be exact. You might want to try your hand with a homemade pizza, spaghetti, lasagna, garlic bread, maybe even a panini is in order.


Maybe Movie Night is a family affair, in which case you might chose to celebrate by watching the newly released Tooth Fairy movie. Cookies, Cakes, Brownies...all sound like a perfect way to rebel against the Tooth Fairy!



Perhaps some good old fashioned Southern food is in order, along with Sandra Bullock's new release The Blind Side. Melt in your mouth ribs, barbecue, corn on the cob......all washed down with some sweet tea. Sounds like bliss!


Vampire movies have been really popular lately. Bloody Mary's anyone? Steak served medium-rare? Red Velvet cupcakes? Sounds fang-tastic!!


Don't have time to sit down and watch a movie this week? Create a snack or menu with your favorite movie in mind. Whatever you chose will be fabulous and we can't wait to see it!

Post your Movie Night creations by Sunday, May 16th and don't forget to link your post of the week's permalink with Mr. Linky, below, so we can all enjoy your fabulous Movie Night creation!

Remember to leave a comment after, each week that you use Mr. Linky to link your post, just to be sure we don't miss anyone.

Not sure what a permalink is? Check out our Welcome post.
I Heart Cooking Clubs *Movie Night* Participants

1. Joanne - White Bean Dip 2. Natashya - Pretty in Pink Strawberry Fool 3. Beth Anne - Spiced Nuts 4. Denny - Caribbean Channa 5. HoneyB

6. Joanna@GoAhead&Snicker - Mojitos 7. Jenny @ All Things Edible - Souffle and Cream Sauce 8. girlichef~ Tortilla Soup 9. Kim - A Romantic Mark Bittman Trio 10. Mary ~ Strawberries and Swedish Creme

11. Maggie-Pan Fried Pizza 12. Domestic Kate - Brownies 13. Deb in Hawaii--Tortilla Soup

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It's Time For...Breakfast in Bed!

Is there a more indulgent and luxurious way to spend a lazy morning than having Breakfast in Bed?!? We don't think so and that's why we are all about breakfast at IHCC this week!

Whether it's a cup of coffee and a croissant, bacon, eggs and juice, a fluffy omelette and a mimosa, a bowl of cereal and the Sunday paper, or a piece of cold pizza and a glass of the hair of the dog that bit you the night before, Breakfast in Bed is the ultimate in pampering.

Your Breakfast in Bed creation might be for yourself, (a little self-pampering is good for the soul!), your special someone, or even for Mom, as Mother's Day is being celebrated in the U.S. this Sunday.

To play along, simply find an appropriate Mark Bittman recipe to make for your Breakfast in Bed. If you like to seep in late and have brunch or lunch items for breakfast, that's OK too.

Post your Bittman Breakfast in Bed themed recipe by Sunday, May 9th and don't forget to link your post of the week's permalink with Mr. Linky, below, so we can all enjoy your fabulous breakfast creation!

Remember to leave a comment after, each week that you use Mr. Linky to link your post, just to be sure we don't miss anyone.

Not sure what a permalink is? Check out our Welcome post.

We will see you all for breakfast! (pajamas and slippers are appreciated!)

I Heart Cooking Clubs *Breakfast In Bed* Participants

1. Tiff-Swedish Pancakes 2. Judi - Frittata 3. Kim-Peanut Butter Granola 4. Passionate Perseverance 5. Michael and Carla @ RecipeAddict 6. Joanna@goaheadandsnicker-The incredible edible egg

7. DebinHawaii--Breakfast Bulgur with Mango, Cherry & Almonds 8. Joanne - Lemon-Glazed Blueberry Muffins 9. Domestic Kate - Light & Fluffy Pancakes 10. Maggie - Basic Cinnamon Rolls 11. HoneyB 12. My Sweet and Savory

13. Savory Sausage Muffins 14. Jenny @ All Things Edible - Cream Scones 15. Natashya - Crepes with Smoked Salmon, Roasted Asparagus, and Bearnaise Sauce 16. girlichef~ medium-boiled eggs

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