Chicken Fried Steak (Recipe)

I've waited a long time to share this recipe... it's that secret.

My husbands favorite meal is Chicken Fried Steak. It's my go to "I'm sorry" meal, or my "I know you've had a rough week" meal or even just an "I love you" meal.

I HATE to make it. Really, I do. It's horrid and time consuming and you'd have to;

a.) reeeeaallly love chicken fried steak, or
b.) have some serious sucking up to do

to even want to attempt it.

I made it once after I broke our 55" 3D TV, on accident (I cannot stress this enough) and I literally saw Charlie's heart ripped from his chest, kinda like the Queen does in Once Upon A Time... it was pretty similar. It was the ultimate "I'm-sorry-I-know-you've-had-a-rough-week-I-love-you" meal. I should also add there was a bit of "please-don't-divorce-me-over-this" in there too. Hehe, OK maybe not.

If making ridiculously amazing food is my love language, than this was the ultimate sign of submission.

He doesn't get it as often as he likes, because I'm rarely wrong (heh) but Charlie's birthday warrants it, and as you know, it was his birthday on Monday.

Chocolate Cake with Salted Caramel (Recipe)

Today is my husbands birthday. Shh... he's 33.

I try to make birthdays sort of a big deal around here, because, HELLO!, birthday! If it's not a "big one" we tend to just make a day of it, favorite meals, nagging immunity, getting to do what you want with no repercussions of your actions (kinda, but not really...) and you get to pick dessert. Cake, pie, easy, elaborate, ice cream, toppings, sprinkles, it's all on the table for you to choose from.

There have been some pretty labor intensive birthday cakes around here from years past, Elmo and Cookie monster cupcakes, Princess dress ice cream cake, Hello Kitty, Snickerdoodle, 6 layer rainbow cake, key lime pie, the list goes on and on. I've mentioned how spoiled my family is, right?

So when I asked Charlie what he wanted for his birthday dinner and dessert, I was hoping for a very simple "Oh, you know, just a frozen Key Lime Pie that is only $14 and doesn't make you spend 4 hours in the kitchen because I know how busy you are and I want to help you out."

Nope.

He asked for "Oh! That chocolate cake you made that one time with the caramel on the inside with the chocolate frosting. I want that." Thanks, pal.

Via Martha Stewart

Really Rich Chicken Parmesan

Everyone always tells me how spoiled I've made my husband over the years. I can't really argue with them, the man is definitely spoiled. He asks, I make.

Over the years we have tried countless chicken parm recipes. Some baked, some semi-homemade, all just OK. I can never really recreate the same dish from the fancy Italian restaurants at home, something is always just off. The sauce is too sweet, or the bread is soggy and bland, and each time we bite into it with the anticipation of amazing and walk away with "It was good, but it wasn't great...". And of course, being the person I am, I take it personally and get bummed out.

Well a few months ago I was looking through food magazines and came across an article about classic dishes with "light" and "rich" takes on them. The "light" version looked very similar to the parm I was used to making, but there in all it's crowning glory was the most magnificent plate of "rich" chicken parm I had ever seen. I scribbled down the recipe and declared I knew what was for dinner!

Paleo Steak Chili and Corn Bread Waffles

I am not Paleo, or anything even remotely close to any of these new food trends. I am a food eater. I eat what I like and I enjoy food. Everything in moderation, right? This is just a well kept family secret that's too good to keep to myself. My father in law has kept the family chili recipe a secret for a long time. His first mistake was giving it to me, and I feel like now is the time to share it.

Freckled Lemonade Copycat Recipe

One of my husbands favorite restaurants is Red Robin. I am never opposed to going there because I love their Freckled Lemonade! Tart lemonade with big strawberries floating throughout, AND they are BOTTOMLESS... hello! I probably sit there and drink at least 4 of them in an afternoon. I guess it's better than the 4 bottomless Root Beer floats I drank there when pregnant. Aye!