Are You Ready? Join the Caravan of Spice!

Hand in hand we'll take the caravan.. join the caravan of spice.. stand up!
(With apologies to the Isley Brothers)

What is food without spice? Okay, who said British? I have heard that British food has come a long way in the last several years.. but never mind that - we are talking about gloriously fragrant spices that delight both the palate and the soul.

Earthy, floral, sweet or grassy.. they are all waiting patiently in your cupboard. Bring them out and celebrate the spice! Even better, try a new spice or a new spice combination. Explore new regions of cuisine or revisit an old favourite. The choice is yours.

Find a Mark Bittman recipe, from one of his books or online, that represents Spice Caravan to you. Cook up something for the theme and link it to Mr. Linky by May 2nd.

And did you get a chance to check out the fabulous creations at the April Potluck yet?

Link your I Heart Cooking Clubs post of the week's permalink with Mr. Linky, below, so we can all see your fabulous Spice Caravan 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 *Spice Caravan* Participants

1. Kim- Potato Cumin Curry 2. Tina Marie (Nachos and Margaritas) 3. Joanna@goaheadandsnicker-Chai Spiced Ginger Crunch Ice Cream 4. Joanne - Spiced Red Lentil Pancakes 5. Maggie-Spicy Supercrunchy Fried Chicken

6. Melissa - Fried Chicken Made Easy 7. Michael and Carla @ RecipeAddict 8. Andreas - Curried Stir-Fried Potatoes 9. Andrea at Nummy Kitchen -- Bean Griddlecakes with Spiced Rice and Coconut Curry 10. Natashya - Houria - Spicy Carrot Salad

11. girlichef~ Spicy Pork Salad 12. DebinHawaii--Curry Soup Noodles 13. Jayasri 14. Passionate Perseverance ~ White Bean Soup

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April * * * * * * * !

Do you know what time it is? Let's see if you can guess....

Hmmmm.....

How 'bout now...

Any clue?

You must have an inkling...

...tee hee....

...is it on the tip of your tongue?

Go ahead, roll the dice...

It's that time of the month where you can choose anything you like.

You choose a recipe...any recipe...any theme...

Blog it, link it, leave a comment...

Yup, you guessed it...I knew you would...

Okay, one rule...make sure you're using a recipe from our current beau, Mark Bittman! Simple, huh?

Link your I Heart Cooking Clubs post of the week's permalink with Mr. Linky, below, so we can all see your fabulous April Potluck 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 *April Potluck* Participants

1. Joanne - Brownies 2. Comfy Cook - Caramelize Apple Pecan Cake 3. DebinHawaii--Pasta with Bacon and Breadcrumbs 4. Natashya - Chocolate Mousse 5. Soy Broth 6. Kim-Chile Bisque 7. Zibi

8. Maggie - pot stickers 9. Yvette - Strawberries with balsamic vinegar 10. Michael and Carla 11. Tiff-The Simplest Bean Burgers 12. Couscous & Consciousness - Curried Coconut Aubergine with Potatoes 13. Andrea at Nummy Kitchen -- Baked Penne with Feta and Olives 14. Joanna at Go Ahead and Snicker-BAked Mac and Cheese w/ Prosciutto and Peas

15. Andreas - Quinoa and Carrot Rösti 16. girlichef- Pasta with Fried Eggs & Pasta with Balsamic Onions 17. Melissa 18. Jenny @ All Things Edible - Chocolate chip cookies 19. Judi

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It's Time to Raid Your Pantry!

A huge thank you to everyone who participated in our first week with Mark Bittman! Together we cooked up a storm, making all kinds of tasty and appealing little Bites of Bittman. Thanks again for a fabulous introduction and warm welcome to Mark Bittman's recipes.


This week's theme promises to be just as fun as last week because we are RAIDING OUR PANTRIES! That's right! In the spirit of spring cleaning, we are going to be whipping up some delicious recipes while cleaning out our pantries at the same time. (Now that's my kind of cleaning!!) Pick a recipe that uses one or more items from your pantry and cook it up. The choice is yours and we want you to have fun with it!


Turn those bags of flour into some freshly baked bread or maybe even some pizza. Break out that box of pasta, whip up a fabulous sauce, and take a culinary trip to Italy or maybe even China. Use up those canned beans to make a veggie burger, a bean puree, or maybe even a bean salad. Perhaps you're lucky enough to find some chocolate in your pantry? Hmmm....maybe a sinful dessert is in order. Been holding on to some specialty ingredients? Find that perfect recipe and use them up! This week is all about the pantry and anything in it is fair game! The choice is yours!


Whatever you choose, have fun raiding the pantry!! We can't wait to see all your tasty creations!

Post your recipe on your blog and link your completed post to Mr. Linky below, on or before April 18th 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.

Don't know what a permalink is? Please refer to the Welcome page.

Didn't get a chance to see last week's Bites of Bittman? Click HERE to check out all the tasty recipes.

Don't own a Mark Bittman cookbook or haven't had a chance to grab one yet? Head over to our sidebar for some online recipe sources.

I Heart Cooking Clubs Pantry Raid Participants

1. Kim-Lentils and Potatoes with Curry 2. Katie - Hummus 3. DebinHawaii--Anything Goes Granola 4. Joanna@goaheadandsnicker-Cold Noodles with Sesame Sauce 5. Tina Marie (Paprika Chicken) 6. Beth Anne - Compound Butters! 7. Joanne - Coconut Rice Salad and Baked Tofu with Soy and Sesame

8. Passionate Perseverance ~ White Bean Soup 9. Michael and Carla - Lentil Salad 10. Natashya - Brittled Popcorn with Peanuts 11. Chaya - Tomato Cobbler 12. Vegetable Pancakes 13. Andreas - Yakisoba 14. Andrea at Nummy Kitchen -- Cherry Tomato Cobbler

15. Jenny @ All Things Edible - Banana bread 16. Maggie-Overnight Waffles 17. Couscous & Consciousness - Sauteed Chicken with Green Olives & White Wine 18. Tiff-Chili non Carne 19. girlichef- Nutty Oatmeal Cookies 20. Natalia- Savoy Cabbage Pasta 21. Judi - Rice with Fresh Herbs

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Bites of Bittman--Now We're Cooking with Mark!

It was a fun six months of cooking with Domestic Goddess Nigella Lawson but this week there is a new cook in the kitchen and it's Mark Bittman. Known as "The Minimalist" for his easy cooking style and simple delicious recipes, Bittman is a food journalist, prolific cookbook author, avid home cook, television personality and of course, a lover of great food.

Whether you have cooked with Bittman before or are just getting introduced, we thought we would kick off the next six months with a little get acquainted party and some Bites of Bittman; appetizers or small plates of his delicious food to pass around and share.

So pick a Mark Bittman recipe that sounds delicious to you, from one of his many books, his website, his blog "Bitten" and weekly column "The Minimalist" at the New York Times, or on the web. (There are some links on the side bar if you get stuck). Make and post your Bittman creation by Sunday, April 11th.

We will see you at the welcome party with your "Bites of Bittman!"

(BTW--Don't forget to see what ended up in last week's Easter Basket with Nigella)

Link your I Heart Cooking Clubs post of the week's permalink with Mr. Linky, below, so we can all see your fabulous Bites of Bittman dish. 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 *Bites of Bittman* Participants

1. Kim- Deviled Egg Throwdown 2. Natashya - BLT Salad 3. DebinHawaii--Lentil Veggie Burger Sliders 4. Tina Marie (Crab Stiffed Mushrooms and Roasted Asparagus) 5. Beth Anne 6. Beth Anne - Warm Salad of Scallops and Tender Greens

7. Andreas - Sweet Potato and Quinoa Salad 8. Katie - Vegetable Pancakes 9. Couscous & Consciousness 10. Michael and Carla 11. girlichef- Chickpea Sliders 12. Joanne - Plum Tomato Pizza with Pesto

13. Jenny @ All Things Edible 14. Maggie 15. Comfy Cook - Carmelized Nuts 16. Andrea at Nummy Kitchen -- Baked Goat Cheese 17. Natalia- Vegetable pancakes

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Easter Basket

Here we are in the last week of cooking up Nigella Lawson's recipes. Gosh, six months went fast! We had great fun exploring her books and online recipes, and discovering our own inner Domestic Goddesses. For the very last Nigella theme we have Easter Basket.

Easter time means many things to many people around the world, commonly it is seen as a new beginning. End of winter, awakening of the land. And bunnies, lots of bunnies.
What will grace your Easter table? Your Easter basket? A time of giving and sharing, find one of Nigella's recipes online or in one of her books and whip up a dish or goodie that represents the theme to you.
Post it to your blog by Sunday, April 4th and link up with Mr. Linky, below.

'Twas Easter-Sunday. The full-blossomed trees Filled all the air with fragrance and with joy.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Have you had a chance to check out the delicious Potluck dishes yet?

Link your I Heart Cooking Clubs post of the week's permalink with Mr. Linky, below, so we can all see your fabulous Easter Basket 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.

As you can see, we have a new cook for April! By popular vote, Mark Bittman will be our foodie focus for the next six months. Stay tuned for a Bittman IHCC overhaul!

Also, a big welcome and thank you to Kim of Stirring the Pot who will be joining Deb, Heather and I as administrators of I Heart Cooking Clubs!

I Heart Cooking Clubs *Easter Basket* Participants

1. Tina Marie (Rib Sticking Strir Fry and Minestrone) 2. Kim-Chocolate Fudge

3. DebinHawaii-Crab & Avocado Salad w/ Japanese Dressing 4. Natashya - Hokey Pokey!

5. Couscous & Consciousness

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March Potluck!

It's time for March Potluck! Sadly, it is our last Potluck with our favorite Domestic Goddess Nigella Lawson. But fear not, after Potluck we will be spending Easter with Nigella before switching to our new chef for the next six months. (It's still a close race so if you have not yet voted for Bittman, Oliver or Flay, you had better cast your vote for your favorite as voting ends March 27th!)

But now on to the Potluck! This is the time to pull out that Nigella recipe you have been wanting to make because ANYTHING GOES for Potlucks!

You can find any Nigella Lawson recipe online or in one of her many cookbooks.

Then just make it and post it by next Sunday, March 28th.

Don't forget to stop by and take a look to see how It's Easy Being Green as interpreted by your fellow IHCC participants 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 March Potluck 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 *March Potluck* Participants

1. sarah at i blame mom 2. Chaya - Chocolate Chip Mini Muffins 3. Kim- Rib Sticking Stir Fry

4. DebinHawaii--Thai Roasted Chicken and Lemon, Mint & Spinach Salad 5. Natashya - Nigella's Beetroot Salad 6. The Lab - Green Bean and Lemon Casserole

7. Tina Marie (chocolate Cookies)

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It's Easy Being Green!

It's not that easy being green

Having to spend each day the color of the leaves
When I think it could be nicer being red, or yellow or gold
Or something much more colorful like that

It's not easy being green
It seems you blend in with so many other ordinary things
And people tend to pass you over 'cause you're
Not standing out like flashy sparkles in the water
Or stars in the sky

But green's the color of Spring
And green can be cool and friendly-like
And green can be big like an ocean, or important
Like a mountain, or tall like a tree

When green is all there is to be
It could make you wonder why, but why wonder why
Wonder, I am green and it'll do fine, it's beautiful
And I think it's what I want to be

Whether green conjures up pictures of handsome froggie troubadours or idyllic back-to-nature love-your-planet initiatives...

Or the intense need to dress up and celebrate being Irish, no matter who you are or if you can even find Ireland on a map...

Fields of greens like lucky shamrocks that hold the key to luck, treasure and wee forest creatures.

And fields of salad greens that hold the key to health, vitality, and longevity.


We are going Green this week - and it is easy!

Cook up any of Nigella's dishes from cocktails, salads, mains, sides, or desserts - whatever makes you think green - and post it by March 21st.

Green for the planet, for St. Patty's Day, froggies, veggies or tender leaves.. there is lots to celebrate in this green world!

Link your I Heart Cooking Clubs post of the week's permalink with Mr. Linky, below, so we can all see your fabulous It's Easy Being Green 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 have you had a chance to check out last week's Tea Time creations?
Plus, don't forget to vote for the next IHCC chef! On the side bar. They are neck in neck. Who will we spend the next six months with?
I Heart Cooking Clubs *Its Easy Being Green!* Participants

1. Natashya - Green Pea Bruschetta 2. Kim - Mustard Pork Chops

3. DebinHawaii--Three Fishes with Three Herb Salsa & Braised Little Lettuces 4. The Chef In My Head

5. The Lab - Capery Salad 6. Leana - Chocolate Lime Cheesecake

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