Special Announcement!

We're swinging from the rafters over here at IHCC in anticipation of our next featured chef! 

photo credit: Chicago Magazine

If you can believe it, this month marks our final month of cooking with Tessa Kiros.  Is it just me or did the past 5 months just fly by!? 

Yes.  This is normally the time we would put a poll up on our sidebar with a list of three or four cooks/chefs (guys this time) to vote for in anticipation of our next six months.  Well.  We've decided to announce a SPECIAL FEATURE this go 'round.  You see.  All four of us - Deb, Natashya, Kim and myself are itchin' to spend a solid six month cooking with Rick Bayless.  Spring...summer...fresh ingredients...all begging to be turned into bright, flavorful Mexican dishes and beverages.  Can you blame us!?  So instead of taking a vote, we decided to announce RICK BAYLESS as our pick for the next six months.  We hope you are as excited to cook with him as we are.

And we promise...it's back to a vote for our next lady chef/cook pick!  There's a link on the sidebar to all of Rick's books on Amazon or here.  He's also contributed to many compilation books...has been featured in magazines...and has a great website - all of which feature a huge variety of things that we can cook/bake up over the course of six months.

Viva Mexico!

Fight Scurvy - Eat More Citrus!

I find it somewhat amazing that encased in thick, pebbly skins you can find such bright, juicy, glorious bursting fruit!  It's like a hit of sunshine for those of us stuck in cold, blustery parts of the world this time of year.  

Antioxidants.  Vitamin C.  Good source of fiber.  Fat free.  Cholesterol free.  Sodium free.  Help in reducing the risk of heart disease.  Folate.  Potassium.  Phytochemicals.  YUP, citrus fruits are/do all of these things.  And of course, they prevent scurvy.

So reach into those trees...those market bins...those citrus groves...and let's head into the kitchen with Tessa and fight a little scurvy this week.  What will you make with the fruits from this versatile family?  A bright, clean salad perhaps?  Or maybe you're in the mood for dessert.  Flavoring some meat is a good idea.  Or perhaps a refreshing beverage or cocktail is in order.  Use the juice, the rind, the zest, the oils in getting fruity this week.  I say yes to all of those options!

I can't wait to see what everybody comes up with this week.  Aaaarrrrrrggggggghhhhh!

Make and post your Fight Scurvy - Eat Citrus! post by Sunday, March 4th. 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 Lighten Up! theme 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 Tessa Kiros right now...so if you've linked up, be sure that you've used/adapted one of her recipes for your post!

*all images via Googles Images


I Heart Cooking Clubs *Fight Scurvy - Eat Citrus!* Participants

1. Heather - Baklava 2. Michelle ~ Tagliolini al Limone 3. Deb in Hawaii--Roast Lemon Potatoes

4. Couscous & Consciousness - Little Blood Orange Cakes 5. JamieK-Avgolemono 6. Yvette - Cabbage salat with orange & Lemons

7. Andreas - Oven-baked Lemon-Potatoes

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Lighten Up!

For those of us enduring winter, it has been a fairly long haul. Dense carbs, and lots of them, keep us warm and cozy while the wind blows not so friendly temperatures at us.

I live in Canada, I know of what I speak.

And although there is nothing better than losing yourself in a baguette or giant pile of pasta, we still have to remember to get our healthy on.

That means reaching for some veggies, fruits, and other nutrient-rich foods that won't leave us overstuffed and moulded into the couch.

So let's Lighten Up this week! C'mon Get Healthy! Your heart will thank you for it. ♥

Photo courtesy Kahaki Kitchen

Whip up your Light and Healthy dish from one of Tessa Kiros's recipes, and post to your site on or by Sunday, February 26th. Link up with Mr. Linky, below, and leave a comment so we can all see your fabulous dish!

Need more information? Check out our Welcome Page!



I Heart Cooking Clubs *Lighten Up!* Participants

1. Michelle ~ Fish Baked w/ Herbs 2. Heather ~ Couscous Salad 3. Andrea at Nummy Kitchen -- Radicchio Lasagna 4. Kim -Couscous Salad

5. JamieK-Grilled Zucchini 6. Natashya - Baked Fish with Tomato 7. Couscous & Consciousness - Panzanella 8. Deb in Hawaii--Tahini Soup

9. Yvette - Zucchini omelette 10. Donna- Greek yogurt with condensed milk and oranges

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In the Pink!

It's time to get in the pink! 

From the palest of pink to the darkest of pink.

  Pretty pink cupcakes, gorgeous pink sorbets and ice creams, yogurt studded with fruit, or anything else that suits your fancy. 

Of course, it's not all about pretty pink desserts.  Bring on the shrimp, the ham, some gorgeous-hued beets, or maybe even a burger with pink sauce.

Make and post your In the Pink dish from one of Tessa's recipes and post on or by Sunday, February 19th.  Make sure you link up with Mr. Linky, below.  If you have trouble linking, please check out our Welcome page.  Don't forget to leave a comment after linking so we do not miss out on your recipe of the week.

If you missed our February Potluck theme last week, be sure and check out all the recipes we shared.



I Heart Cooking Clubs *In The Pink* Participants

1. Andrea at Nummy Kitchen -- Pistachio Rose Loukoumi 2. Deb In Hawaii--Beets w/Yogurt & Pistachios 3. Heather ~ Shrimp and Spinach Brown Rice Risotto

4. Michelle ~ Garides Saganaki 5. Donna- pasta with shrimp, cream and tomato 6. Natashya - Homemade Raspberry Sauce

7. JamieK-Peaches in White Wine 8. Kim -Pomegranate Sorbet

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February Potluck With Tessa Kiros!

It's Potluck week again!

Do you realize that this is our second to last Potluck with Tessa Kiros before we switch to our next chef? Time flies!

Now is definitely the time to make one or more of those many delicious dishes you have bookmarked!

Whip up your delightful Potluck dish from one of Tessa's recipes and post on or by February 12th. Make sure you link up with Mr. Linky, below. Need help in linking? Check out our Welcome page! Don't forget to leave a comment so we can make sure not to miss your fabulous creation.

If you missed our Some Like it Hot--And Spicy! theme last week, be sure and check out all the spiced up recipes everyone made.

Happy Potluck!

I Heart Cooking Clubs *February Potluck With Tessa Kiros* Participants

1. Kim -Cherry Jam Shortbread Cookies 2. Couscous & Consciousness - Roasted Red Pepper Soup 3. Natashya - Chicken Curry with Pineapple, Coconut, and Cashews

4. Heather- Fried Mozzarella Sandwiches 5. Andrea at Nummy Kitchen -- Eggplant Parmesan 6. Deb in Hawaii--Pureed Yellow Split Peas

7. JamieK-Bread with Rosemary and Olive Oil

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Some Like it Hot - And Spicy!

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Who feels like turning up the heat in the kitchen this week?  Be it literally (chiles) or figuratively (warming spices), we're heading into spice territory with Tessa this week.  

You choose your comfort level.  Fresh chile peppers turned into an oil, a sauce, or sauteed into your favorite dish.  Chile powder, cinnamon, anise, cardamom, nutmeg, ginger, or turmeric heating up your main course, a loaf of bread, or folded seductively into a sweet dessert.  The possibilities are infinite.

What do you choose?  A dish that'll bring out the beads of sweet on your forehead...or a dish that will melt someone's heart?  Can't wait to see how you spice up the kitchen this week!

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Make and post your Some Like it Hot - And Spicy! post by Sunday, February 5th. 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 January Potluck theme 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 Tessa Kiros right now...so if you've linked up, be sure that you've used/adapted one of her recipes for your post!

I Heart Cooking Clubs *Some Like it Hot-And Spicy!* Participants

1. Natashya - Spicy Chickpea Salad 2. Andrea at Nummy Kitchen -- Fresh Pasta with Piri Piri Pepper Cream Sauce 3. JamieK - Salmon Ceviche with Cilantro, Chili, and Lime

4. Deb in Hawaii--Spicy Tomato Sauce 5. Michelle ~ Spaghetti Aglio, Olio, e Peperoncino 6. Couscous & Consciousness - Chicken, Coconut & Cashew Nut Curry

7. Heather- Aromatic Salt 8. Kim -Very Thin Fries with Sriracha-Garlic Mayo

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January Potluck with Tessa Kiros!

It's that time again, time for a potluck party with Tessa Kiros!

Get out your favourite TK books and start bookmarking those dishes you have been salivating over, or that you actually have the ingredients for - your choice. ;-)

Whip up your awesome dish from one of Tessa's recipes and post on or by January 29th and link up with Mr. Linky, below. Need help? Check out our welcome page!

And have you had a chance to check out all the white foods we played with last week?

Looking forward to seeing what delicious dishes you bring to the potluck!

I Heart Cooking Clubs *January Potluck with Tessa Kiros* Participants

1. Andrea at Nummy Kitchen -- Mushroom Manchego Risotto Balls 2. Heather- Butternut Squash baked w/ Bay Leaves, Butter & Brown Sugar 3. Deb in Hawaii--Garides Saganaki: Shrimp w/Feta & Tomato

4. Natashya - Cinnamon and Cardamom Rolls 5. Jamie - Beef Casserole with Carrots, Onions & Heavy Cream 6. Michelle~Kebabs

7. Kim -La Pizza Rossa 8. Andreas - Fresh Egg Pasta with Simple Tomato Sauce

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