Budgets and Bargains

Overspending got you down? Are you trying to stretch a dollar and stick to your food budget while still eating well? Did you spend your grocery money on shoes again?

We have you covered at IHCC this week with our Budgets and Bargains theme.

Pick any Nigella Lawson recipe that you find that fits in your budget plan. Whether you want to enjoy a big bowl of pasta or bake your own breakfast treats instead of stopping by the local coffee shop.

Maybe you want to use up some of those cans and boxes in your pantry or make a version of your favorite restaurant meal instead of calling for take-out. Whatever your budgeting goal, there is a Nigella recipe out there for you.

Post your Nigella budget dish by February 7 and of course don't forget to link up with Mr. Linky so that everyone can find and see your good eats for a bargain.

Don't forget to check out the heavenly Happy Hour creations from last week too.

Link your I Heart Cooking Clubs post of the week's permalink with Mr. Linky, below, so we can all see your fabulous cooking club creations! Please 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 *Budgets and Bargains* Participants

1. Joanna@goaheadandsnicker 2. Natashya - Penne alla Vodka 3. DebinHawaii--Tuna and Beans 4. Andrea at Nummy Kitchen -- Lemon Linguine

5. The Lab - An Experiment to Taste 6. Chaya - Salmon with Mushrooms and Spinach 7. Kim from Stirring the Pot 8. TheBurmeseMom

9. Mary @ Passionate Perseverance 10. The Chef In My Head

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Happy Hour!

Time to throw a cocktail party! For one, two, four, eleventy... your choice! Margaritas and mini tacos? Arnold Palmers and pigs in a blanket? Red wine and canapés?
I know what you're thinking. That we at IHCC are advocating all sorts of hedonistic behaviour. Well, ok, maybe a little.. but certainly if you do not wish to create or drink cocktails you need not skip this week. Virgin cocktails or all manner of nibblies are perfect Happy Hour fare.

Don't forget to do your ultimate Nigella impression as you create lovely offerings for this week's theme. Moist lips are a must. Heels are optional... as is the push-up bra...

Find any of Nigella Lawson's recipes that suit the Happy Hour theme, either in her cookbooks or online, cook it and make sure you post it by January 31st and of course don't forget to link up with Mr. Linky so that everyone can find and see your fabulous Happy Hour creation.

And make sure you have had a chance to visit January's delicious Potluck party!

Link your I Heart Cooking Clubs post of the week's permalink with Mr. Linky, below, so we can all see your fabulous cooking club creations! Please 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.

See you at the Happy Hour! I apologize in advance for drinking all your wine and flirting with your significant other. ;-)

I Heart Cooking Clubs *Happy Hour* Participants

1. DebinHawaii--Basil and Goat's Cheese Dip & Rouge Limonade 2. SUGAR pLum@ happy hours 3. AMI - Union Square Cafe Bar Nuts

4. Natashya - Moscow Mules and Bar Nuts 5. Gonna want seconds-Green Apple Cocktail 6. Natalia- Small Savory Tarts

7. Mary @ Passionate Perseverance 8. Beth Anne 9. The Lab - An Experiment to Taste[1st Time}

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January Potluck!

It's "Potluck" time again!


Our January Potluck is your chance to pick any Nigella dish you want, make it and post it to share!

You may be craving a hearty breakfast or brunch...

A healthy salad....

Something sweet...

Or something spicy....

You get to choose!

Find any of Nigella Lawson's recipes either in her cookbooks or online, cook it and make sure you post it by January 24th and of course don't forget to link up with Mr. Linky so that everyone can find and see your fabulous Potluck creation.

BTW--don't forget to visit all the "Exotic Destinations" everyone journeyed to last week!

Link your I Heart Cooking Clubs post of the week's permalink with Mr. Linky, below, so we can all see your fabulous cooking club creation! Please 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.

See you at the Potluck!

I Heart Cooking Clubs *January Potluck* Participants

1. DebinHawaii--Pepper Seared Ahi, Vietnamese Dressing & Soba Noodles 2. Tina Marie (Caramel Croissant Pudding) 3. Natalia- Curry in a Hurry 4. Kim/Stirring the Pot - Cheesecake

5. Natashya - Thai Yellow Pumpkin Curry and Seafood Curry 6. Chaya - Pecan Maple Muffins 7. SPF'S POTLUCK 8. The Lab - An Experiment to Taste

9. AMI - Rapid Ragu 10. Gonna want seconds-Yummy Rummy Hot Chocolate 11. Jenny @ All Things Edible 12. Rosabela-Caramel Croissant Pudding

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Exotic Destinations

Anywhere but here.
Ever get the feeling that you would be so much happier somewhere else? Like when the frost covers your window, the dogs hide from the howling wind, cold creeps into your fingers, brain, bones?

Or maybe it is just that your house is too crowded, no room to think, people at every turn....

We all dream of going to a far off land, as much to discover new adventures as to escape the same ole' same ole'.

I can't guarantee that these exotic destinations will free you from what ails you, but it sure is nice to think about the great escape. New lands, new people, new foods.

Find any of Nigella Lawson's recipes that you feel suits this week's theme, either in her cookbooks or online, cook it and make sure you post it by January 17th. And of course don't forget to link up with Mr. Linky so that everyone can find and see your dish.

So come travel to Exotic Destinations with us, wish you were here!

Link your I Heart Cooking Clubs post of the week's permalink with Mr. Linky, below, so we can all see your fabulous cooking club creation! Please leave a comment after, each week that you use Mr. Linky to link your post, just to be sure we don't miss anyone.

Anywhere but where you are? We hear you. Can't wait to travel with you!
In the mean time, have you had a chance to see all the delectable Resolutions posts yet?


I Heart Cooking Clubs *Exotic Destinations* Participants

1. SPF-EXOTIC DESTINATIONS 2. DebinHawaii--Aromatic Lamb Meatballs & Couscous 3. Stirring the Pot - Red Pepper Hummus 4. Natashya - Arabian Pancakes With Orange-Flower Syrup

5. Gonna want seconds-Sake Salmon and Rice 6. Natalia-Thai Yellow Pumpkin and Seafood Curry 7. Teresa The Ultimate Greek Salad 8. Mary @ Passionate Perseverance

9. The Lab - An Experiment to Taste 10. Rosabela-Carmellized Oranges

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Resolutions

This week's theme at I Heart Cooking Clubs is Resolutions! Feel free to sing along. (My apologies to the Beatles)

That's right guys, New Year's Resolutions! Made any yet?
Find any of Nigella Lawson's recipes that you feel suits this week's theme, either in her cookbooks or online, cook it and make sure you post it by January 10th. And of course don't forget to link up with Mr. Linky so that everyone can find and see your dish.

You say you're making Resolutions
Well you know..
We'd all love to see the plan
You say you've got a real solution
Well you know..
We're all doing what we can

Some people give up sugar
Some people give up fat and starch
All I can say is Sister, don't be too harsh
Don't you know it's gonna be all right
All right.. all right...

You say you want a healthy constitution
Well you know..
None of us really want to give up bread
You say it's the New Year's Resolution
Well you know...
Maybe we can just walk more instead

But if you're dreaming of whipped cream and mayo
You might not last long anyhow
But if we stick together we'll be
All right...
You and me...
All right...
Living free..
All right.. all right!...

Link your I Heart Cooking Clubs post of the week's permalink with Mr. Linky, below, so we can all see your fabulous cooking club creation! Please leave a comment after, each week that you use Mr. Linky to link your post, just to be sure we don't miss anyone.

And don't forget to check out last week's delicious Small Plates creations!
I Heart Cooking Clubs *Resolutions* Participants

1. Gonna want seconds-Prosciutto Bundles 2. SUGAR PLUMS YELLOW THAI CHICKEN & PUMPKIN COCONUT CURRY 3. Natashya - Welsh Rarebit Muffins 4. DebinHawaii--Thai Crumbled Beef in Lettuce Wraps

5. AMInyc 6. Comfy Cook - Pasta with Nigella 7. Rosabela 8. Mary @ Passionate Perseverance

9. debbmarie - Caramel Croissant Pudding 10. Natalia-Lemon-Syrup Cake 11. Tina Marie (Steak with lemon and fresh thyme) 12. Gonna want seconds-Vietnamese Shrimp and Glass Noodle Salad

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Small Plates

The smaller the better. Small is beautiful. Small is the new big. Biggy Smalls. It's a small world, afterall. The best things come in small packages. Yup, this week size does matter! This week we're talkin' SMALL PLATES! That almost doesn't look right...maybe I should have said small plates! Now, that doesn't mean head into the kitchen, cook something up and put it on a little plate although it doesn't mean not to, either. Think appetizer. Think just the perfect size for a taste...tease your palate, if you will. Think something you've always wanted to make, but didn't want to eat it all yourself, so you make it into tasting portions.

You decide which way you'd like to take it! A sit down with a lover... A day of kitchen experimentation... or a veritable tasting feast for your friends and neighbors... You know the old saying... So, break out the dip! Dig out those saucers and mini-plates that you don't use often enough. And maybe even try something new...something you toyed with tasting, but didn't want to eat it all yourself. Call them what you will...tapas, mezze, pupus (I especially like this one), hors-d'oeuvre, smorrebrod, zakouski, canapé, appetizer...what SMALL PLATES will you dazzle with this week?

If you haven't seen what Traditions everybody cooked up last week, be sure to head over and find out!

Link your I Heart Cooking Clubs post of the week's permalink with Mr. Linky, below, so we can all see your fabulous cooking club creation! Please leave a comment after, each week that you use Mr. Linky to link your post, just to be sure we don't miss anyone.

Find any of Nigella Lawson's recipes, either in her cookbooks or online, cook it and make sure you post it by January 3rd. And of course don't forget to link up with Mr. Linky so that everyone can find and see your dish.

***Oh! I thought I'd mention that the small plates collage at top is made up of photos by IHCC members (clockwise starting in upper LH corner: girlichef, Adventures with the Woods, BigSisLilSis & Living in the Kitchen with Puppies)!
I Heart Cooking Clubs *Small Plates* Participants

1. Leana - Caramel Croissant Pudding 2. DebinHawaii--Halloumi Bites 3. Natashya - Small Tomato Tarts

4. Kim -Stirring the Pot 5. Tina Marie~ Cocktail Sausages 6. debbmarie - Hasselback Potatoes

7. Gonna want seconds-Prosciutto Bundles

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Traditions

Traditions.
The things that we do during holidays and special occasions, both small and monumental, that make them personal and special to us.
Whether you are carrying on long family traditions or making new ones, food often takes center stage.

Christmas of course is a huge event this week, and there are many other winter holidays to celebrate all over the world as well. Regardless of the holiday, they celebrate family, love, giving and sharing. And don't forget food!

Find any of Nigella Lawson's recipes, either in her cookbooks or online, cook it and make sure you post it by December 27th. And of course don't forget to link up with Mr. Linky so that everyone can find and see your dish.

If you haven't had a chance yet, check out December's Pot Luck! I think this has been an exceptionally good one. I had a rather large portion of each.

Link your I Heart Cooking Clubs post of the week's permalink with Mr. Linky, below, so we can all see your fabulous cooking club creation! Please 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 Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays!