Tea Time

It's Tea Time here at IHCC and you are all invited to our virtual tea party. So pour yourself a cuppa for inspiration, and start looking through your Nigella cookbooks or online for a Tea Time recipe to share.

What goes for Tea Time?

• It could be the perfect little sweet treat to enjoy with tea like a slice of cake or quick bread spread with jam or marmalade. Perhaps scones or muffins, cupcakes or "puddings" strike your tea party fancy.

• You might go for something less sweet and more savory like some cute little tea sandwiches, bruschetta or a savory scone or muffin to enjoy.

• Or maybe you have been wanting to cook with tea and it is a Nigella recipe that uses tea as an ingredient.

It's really up to you!

Just find any Nigella Lawson recipe that suits this week's tea theme, cook it up and post it by Sunday, March 14th.

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

Be sure to check out the delicious Sustaining Soups and Stews from last week too! And don't forget to vote for our next IHCC chef (on the side bar). It looks like Bobby Flay is in the lead right now but Mark Bittman and Jamie Oliver and neck in neck close behind!

We are looking forward to sharing a cuppa tea, wonderful recipes, Tea Time conversation and fun with you!

I Heart Cooking Clubs *Tea Time* frequency - leave at N/A Participants

1. PINeapple upside down cake 2. DebinHawaii--Smoked Trout Pâté 3. Natashya - Go Get 'Em Smoothie 4. Joanna@goaheadandsnicker-Lazy Loaf

5. Chaya - Almond Fruited Cake 6. theBurmeseMom 7. Leana - Chocolate Croissants 8. Tina Marie (Breakfast Bruschetta)

9. Kim-Chocolate Chocolate-Chip Muffins 10. The Lab - Breakfast Bars

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Sustaining Soups and Stews

Can you believe it has already been six months?
Six months of cooking with Nigella Lawson, TV's most sensual cook, we have learned to describe our menus lustily and with great humour and style.
Please visit the sidebar to participate in the vote for our cooking club's next cook. Who do you want to spend the next six months with? These half year terms are perfect for exploring a chef's techniques and repertoire - who do you want to get to know better? Have your say!
We are going boy/girl so the next term will be a fella - whoever wins popular vote. If your fave doesn't get voted in this time.. there is always next time!
March will be our last month of cooking Nigella, we switch over to our new cook/chef March 29th.

Now, we all know the weather has been crazy this season. Rain, snow, wind, earthquakes, tsunamis.. it is enough to make you want to hide under the covers. What we need right now is comfort - a perfect time for Sustaining Soups and Stews. A bowl of comfort in an uncertain world.
Soups, stews, chillis, curries.. all perfect fare for this week's theme.

Just find any of Nigella Lawson's recipes, from her books or online, that suit this week's theme, cook it up and post it by Sunday, March 7th. Link your post to Mr. Linky so we can all share in your delicious dishes.

Somehow I don't look like this when I am bundled up for a Canadian winter. I catch sight of my reflection and realize I am starting to look like a crazy cat lady in my advancing years. Lumpy and pale with wind-burned cheeks and a vaguely confused look on my face. Crazy dog lady? Best if I just stay home..

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 have you had a chance to check out last week's Great Grains?


I Heart Cooking Clubs *Sustaining Soups and Stews* Participants

1. Joanna@goaheadandsnicker 2. DebinHawaii--Noodle Soup for Needy People

3. TheBurmeseMom 4. Kim- Noodle Soup for Needy People

5. Natashya - Hot and Sour Soup 6. Sweet Potato, Butternut Squash, Carrot Soup

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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

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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

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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

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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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