Great Grains!

Amber waves and all that.
Grains, the staff of life! This week's theme is a celebration of the grains that give us life and energy and two of my best friends - bread and pasta. Let's not forget beer!

According to Wiki:

Wholegrains are cereal grains that contain bran and germ as well as the endosperm, in contrast to refined grains, which retain only the endosperm. Wholegrains can generally be sprouted while processed grains generally will not sprout. Wholemeal products are made from wholegrain flour.

Common wholegrains:

• Wheat
• Oat
• Barley - Hulled and Dehulled (not Pearl)
• Maize
• Brown rice
• Rye
• Triticale
• Sprouted Grains

Common wholegrain products include:

• Whole wheat flour
• Whole Wheat Bread
• Whole wheat Pasta
• Rolled oats or oat groats
• Popcorn

Just choose any of Nigella Lawson's recipes that contain grains, preferably whole grains but we are not sticklers by any stretch of the imagination...
Cook it up and post it by February 28th.
Link up to this post with Mr. Linky so we can all see your Great Grains creation!

In the meantime, have you had a chance to check out everybody's fabulous Potluck creations?

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.


I Heart Cooking Clubs *Great Grains* Participants

1. Natashya - Vegetarian Chili with Cornbread Topping 2. DebinHawaii--Cherried and Chickpea'd Couscous (Actually Farro)

3. Kim-North American Salad 4. Roz - Lemon Risotto

Powered by... Mister Linky's Magical Widgets.

February Potluck!

Time for our February Potluck!

Your chance to make any Nigella recipe you want to make.

Pick a Nigella recipe from one of her cookbooks or online, cook it and make sure you post it by Sunday, February 21st and of course don't forget to link your post up with Mr. Linky so that everyone can find and see your fabulous Potluck creation.

BTW--don't forget to stop by and see how everyone found "A Little Romance" 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 *February Potluck* Participants

1. Natashya - Chicken with Chorizo and Cannellini 2. DebinHawaii--Mirin-Glazed Salmon 3. Chaya - Green Pea Soup

4. Tina Marie (Pineapple Upside down Cake) 5. Picante Prawns, Chicken Schnitzel & absolutely yummy no bake cheese cake 6. The Chef In My Head

7. From the Bookshelf - Love Buns

Powered by... Mister Linky's Magical Widgets.

A Little Romance...

As you might have realized.. it is Valentine's Day this Sunday, February 14th. A wonderful opportunity to cook or bake for the one(s) you love.
Not in a steamy hot romance at the moment? That's okay.

While it is lovely to be able to celebrate one's undying love... or what-have-you.. you don't necessarily have to be part of a couple to celebrate Valentine's Day.

So, before you go telling me that romance is dead or that Valentine's Day is a Hallmark holiday meant to drain the pockets of the vulnerable...

Consider that you have the ability to make of it what you wish.
Dining by candlelight is good for the soul.

Romantic music, bubble baths.. maybe you dream of this guy.

Or maybe your favourite Valentine is a puppy.

Even better, this guy WITH a puppy!

Or maybe you just prefer to celebrate by yourself.

Find a Romantic Nigella recipe - either in one of her books or online - and post it by February 14th, then link up to Mr. Linky so that we can all share in your delicious dishes!

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.

In the meantime - have you had a chance to check out last week's Budgets and Bargains?

Happy Valentine's Day!

I Heart Cooking Clubs *A Little Romance...* Participants

1. Kim - Heart Shaped Granola Muffins 2. Natashya - Caramelized Pineapple with Hot Chocolate Sauce 3. Mia 4. DebinHawaii--Quivering With Passion Jellies

5. Tina Marie (Bourbon Ribs and Spoon Bread) 6. TheBurmeseMom 7. Mary @ Passionate Perseverance 8. Andrea at Nummy Kitchen -- Jumbleberry Crumbles

9. Muffins for Hubby 10. Lara in the Lab 11. Roz

Powered by... Mister Linky's Magical Widgets.

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

Powered by... Mister Linky's Magical Widgets.

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}

Powered by... Mister Linky's Magical Widgets.

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

Powered by... Mister Linky's Magical Widgets.

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

Powered by... Mister Linky's Magical Widgets.