Crunchy vs. Creamy

Crunch! That first crisp bite awakens you. Your senses are on fire....the fragrant scent, the sound of the crisp crunch, the feel of the texture in your mouth. The crispy crunch is alluring. It beckons you. It's addictive. It's so pleasurable that you just can't stop. It's just SO DARN CRUNCHY!

You lick your lips in anticipation......the creaminess is calling to you, waiting to bring you comfort and total satisfaction. You take your first bite and the luxuriously silky smooth texture rolls around on your tongue, dancing on your taste buds. You close your eyes and savor it. It's SO CREAMY! It warms your heart. It gives you peace. It brings you total pleasure.

Crunchy vs. Creamy. Could you pick if you had to? Would one win out over the other?


Maybe you're feeling greedy and want to indulge in both!
Crunchy or Creamy. Crunchy and Creamy together in one dish. There's sure to be a Mark Bittman recipe for you! Just cook it up and post it by Sunday, September 5th. Don't forget to add your link to Mr. Linky and leave a comment so that we can all see your fabulous recipe!

New to the process and not sure of what a permalink is? Check out our Welcome Post for the scoop.

Can you believe that it's going to be September already? The kids are back in school, the nights are getting cooler, and our time with Mark Bittman is coming to a close. At the beginning of October we will usher in a new chef--a lady chef!! Yep! This time around it is all about the lady chefs!! Starting September 1st we will put up a voting poll on our sidebar. Please check back to vote for your favorite female.


I Heart Cooking Clubs Crunchy vs. Creamy Participants

1. DebinHawaii--Gruyère Apple Grilled Cheese with Bacon 2. Kim- Chicken Curry In A Hurry

3. Joanne - Cold Peanut Noodles with Eggpland and Red Pepper 4. Lexi @ Big Momma and Me (Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies)

5. girlichef~ Shredded Pork Tacos w/ Apple-Celery Slaw 6. Natashya - Weapon of Choice: Sesame Seeds!

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Lunch Box!

So... What's in Your Lunch Box?!

We are celebrating all things Lunch Box (or lunch bag, thermos, Tupperware, bento box, favorite lunch plate, etc.)

Whether you are packing a Lunch Box for yourself, a back to school meal for your favorite kid(s), or a little something for your significant other--what Mark Bittman recipe or recipes are you going to put in it?

Do you like your lunch:

• Hot or cold?
• Traditional or something a little different?
• Something special, made just for lunch or some of last night's leftovers?
• Maybe you are a breakfast for lunch kind of person?
• The possibilities are endless!

However you like your Lunch Box filled, there's a Mark Bittman recipe for you. Just find it, make it, pack or plate it, and post it by Sunday, August 29th. Of course you will also want to link it using Mr. Linky below and leave a comment here to make sure we don't miss your dish!

New to the process and not sure of what a permalink is? Check out our Welcome Post for the scoop.

Can't wait to see what is in your Lunch Box!

I Heart Cooking Clubs *Lunch Box* Participants

1. Pam - Pasta with Butter, Sage, and Parmesan 2. Fried Rice -Bittman Style 3. Alex@amoderatelife-stuffed burgers and corn 4. Tina Marie (Pizza Casserole)

5. DebinHawaii--Soba Noodles & Cucumber ( Shrimp) with Dipping Sauce 6. Mary - Chicken w/Rice & Nut Stuffing 7. Kim- Pizza Pasta Casserole 8. Cherry Almond Muffins

9. girlichef~ Lentils and Potatoes w/ Curry 10. Natashya - Goi Cuon 11. Couscous & Consciousness - Hummus

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Can I Have a Sip?

Ever have one of those moments...when you see somebody...

...with a cold, creamy, fantastic-looking beverage...

...and it's all you can do to contain yourself from reaching out...

...and grabbing the glass for yourself...

...so you lean over and convey that feeling of thirst by asking...

...CAN I HAVE A SIP?

Yes, we're focusing on things this week that may just cause you to lean over and ask somebody if you could try that!?  Smoothies, milkshakes, malts, frosties, slushies, cocktails in any fabulous form, cooling summer beverages...heck, if  you want a warm drink, you could make one of those, too.  I've even been known to sip soup...broth...or a delicious sauce. 

So, go out and peruse some Mark Bittman recipes and make something that is sure to make someone ask...

Can I have a sip?

Make and post your Can I Have a Sip? recipe by Sunday, August 22nd. Don't forget to link your post of the week's with Mr. Linky below, so we can all enjoy your fabulous 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.

If you missed the POTLUCK last week, be sure to head on over and see all of the delicious dishes everyone brought!  Don't forget, we're cooking through the recipes of Mark Bittman right now...so if you've linked up, be sure that you've used/adapted one of his recipes for your post!

I Heart Cooking Clubs *Can I Have a Sip?* Participants

1. Natashya - Whiskey Sour 2. Just a Smoothie @girlichef 3. Jenny - All Things Edible - frozen hot chocolate

4. Debbie--Friday Friends 5. Fruit Smoothie - Peach 6. Kim- Banana-Vanilla Shake

7. Deb In Hawaii--Lemongrass-Ginger Tea 8. Bruschetta and a sea breeze

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August Potluck!

What are you going to make? Chicken fricassee? Pulled pork? Garlic toast? Frozen yogurt? It's all up to you, baby. Anything goes for potluck!

Cook up one of Mark Bittman's dishes, from his books or online, and post it on or by Sunday, August 15th.

What you prepare is up to you. Undercover elephant, red banana. As long as it was Bittman's.

And for the love of god, don't invite this chick over. Death follows wherever she goes. Seriously, how did people not notice that?

Make and post your POTLUCK recipe by Sunday, August 15th. Don't forget to link your post of the week's with Mr. Linky below, so we can all enjoy your fabulous 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 August 2010 *Potluck* Participants

1. Lola - Pot Roast with Cranberries 2. Joanna@Go Ahead & Snicker - Almost Meatless Sloppy Joes 3. Carla and Michael-Oven "Grilled" Spareribs 4. Pam - Beef Salad with Mint 5. Deb In Hawaii--Thirty-Minute Ragù 6. Reeni - Corn, Tomato & Zucchini Soup with Basil

7. Joanne - Barley Succotash 8. girlichef~ Crisp Tofu w/ Spicy, Bitter Greens in Peanut Sauce 9. Couscous & Consciousness 10. Debbie--The Friday Friends 11. Natashya - Indian Feast - Bittman Style 12. Jenny All Things Edible - blueberry muffins

13. Andreas - Tomato Paella 14. Kim- Chili Powder-Scented Rice 15. Leana - Rice Pilaf 16. Mary w/ Black Beans & Rice, Spanish Style

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Beat the Heat!

Does the sweltering summer sun have you feeling a bit oppressed? Busy looking for ways to cool down? This week at I Heart Cooking Clubs, we are celebrating the dog days of summer with cool treats and light eats!! It's time to BEAT THE HEAT-- Mark Bittman style.

How will you choose to beat the heat? Will it be with cool treats like ice cream, milkshakes and smoothies?


Maybe you'll choose to stay hydrated with a nice tall glass of iced tea?

Perhaps a light summery pasta dish?

Or maybe even a light and delicate seafood meal?

Feel free to BEAT THE HEAT however you see fit, just make sure to make and post your Bittman recipe by Sunday, August 8th. Don't forget to link your post of the week with Mr. Linky , below, so we can all enjoy your fabulous BEAT THE HEAT creation! Remember to leave a comment after, each week that you use Mr. Linky to link your post too, just to be sure we don't miss anyone.

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

I Heart Cooking Clubs Beat The Heat Participants

1. Debbie-Asian Chicken Salad with Greens 2. Deb In Hawaii--Green Papaya Salad with Shrimp 3. Pam - Banana Vanilla Shake 4. Lola

5. Mary w/linguine & fresh tomatoes/basil 6. Kim-Strawberry Fool 7. Pizza Dough - Bittman Style @frugalcrunchychristy 8. Jenny - All Things Edible - Lemonade

9. girlichef~ Stuck-pot rice w/ Mango & Yogurt 10. Lexi (Chocolate Cream Pie) 11. Natashya - Frozen Daiquiris

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