The "I REALLY Need to Make This, This and This" List [link love]

Pomodori a Sopresa "Tomatoes with a Surprise Filling" by bell'alimento

This are right up my alley. (But really, what isn't on this beautiful authentic Italian cuisine blog?)

Tomatoes? Check! 

Mozzarella? Check! 

Italian herbs AND breading? Check and CHECK!

Gnocchi con Sugo di Pomodori "Gnocchi with a light Tomato Sauce" by bell'alimento

And while I was visiting, I saw this gnocchi recipe. 

I need to try gnocchi (aka potato pasta) and this looks like the perfect way to do it.

Mocha Coffee Crunch Terrine (aka layered chocolate coffee ice cream dessert) by Bake at 350.
I'm pretty sure if my husband gets wind of this dessert,
I won't get away with not making it.
And I think I'm ok with that. 

No-Bake Peanut Butter Squares posted on Kraft Recipes. 

This simple recipe was sent to me by a blog reader and quizzing mom. 

When she saw I didn't have baking abilities this summer, 

she thought this was perfect. 

I can't wait to try it! 

I mean, seriously, here, people. 

Peanut butter AND chocolate???

What's not to love?!

Brownies and Bars feature on Tasty Kitchen. 

I think I gained weight just looking at this post. 

*sigh* They look beautiful.

And I was trying to pick just a handful to share here. 

But I couldn't leave any of them out. 

And while I'm thinking about bars. and chocolate. and peanut butter.

Brown Eyed Baker's Scotcheroos are a must. 

I think I have to stop now. This could get out of hand.

....ok just kidding.
I just came across Elise's Tandoori Chicken recipe and I'm enticed.
It looks delicious, tantalizing even.
Not to mention ethnically diverse.
I'm excited. 

But I want this little linky love to continue. 

It will be fun for you and a great reminder for me.

You know, so I don't have hundreds of recipes emailed to myself. 

Because that's just lame.

On Pros and Cons and the Lack of My Stand Mixer

One of the saddest aspects of being at camp for the summer is not being able to cook all summer.
To indulge in massive amounts of fruits and vegetables.
To make jars and jars of salsa and strawberry jam.
And attempt to grow a garden of my own.

There simply is no time.
And no kitchen.
Which means no KitchenAid Stand Mixer to mix up batches of chocolate chip cookies just because I have a sweet tooth.
This is all sad.
And what's worse, I have no new goodness to post to THIS delicious blog of mine.
I wish I did.
And maybe if I was super motivated I would find the time for such illustrious dreams to come true.

But until September (or until I find a moment of inspiration to make something new),
this page will be lonely.
So I hope you will come visit--
maybe to find a past recipe.
OR to leave me suggestions on future kitchen experiments.
Yes.
You should definitely leave me lots of ideas!

In the meantime, you could read the other pros and cons of a camp summer.
Or any other of my wildly intriguing and totally informative blog posts.
Yes.
That too.

More Grocery Saving Tips

I've always enjoyed a can of ice cold pop. 

Or a bag of Cheetos. 

Or a few Oreos.

But ever since I started buying groceries with my own (or my husband's) hard earned money, I've definitely changed my purchase habits. 

As well as my consumption habits. 

We stay away from pop.

As well as any juices or bottled drinks of any variety. 

This not only saves money, but it keeps our water and milk intake at the highest. 

If you've ever hung around me, you probably know that my water bottle is one of my appendages. 

I don't go ANYWHERE without it.

And if I do, well, it might as well be the end of the world. 

I drink water like it's going out of style.

You should too.

No more than once a month, if we have a craving and see a sale for $0.99 or less for a 2 liter of Diet Coke or something of the sort, we splurge.

And it's so much more exciting that way. 

And I am a big diet fan.

For one, I just don't like drinking my calories. I'd rather eat them.

Secondly, I honestly can't handle the high sugar content of regular pops.

bleh.

With tortilla chips being the one exception, we steer clear of the potato chip aisle.

I love me some fried potatoes (or Doritos) but it's just a healthy way to spend our money. 

As far as the tortilla chips go, we're even trying to bake our own at home. 

Just cut a corn tortilla (or 20) into desired wedges.

Place on a baking sheet.

Spray with non-stick cooking spray.

Sprinkle with salt.

Bake at 350 for 15 minutes, turning ever 5 minutes. 

Voila! 

Delicious, un-fried, cheaper!

Along those lines, we stay away from processed cookies or other snack foods. 

Hostess. 

Keebler. 

Ritz.

Little Debbies.

Nabisco. 

Sorry, wonderful companies that see some surprisingly delicious fake foods. 

But when I bake cookies week in and week out, nothing can compare.

And I prefer the ingredients to be things like
"Flour, sugar, eggs, butter."

You know, items I actually have in my pantry.

And I'd rather spend dollars on home cooked goodness rather than manufactured cookies that last an ungodly amount of time. 

granted, I still purchase generic Ritz crackers.

And the occassional generic Wheat Thin or Cheese-Its.

But for the most part our cupboards are empty of such products.

It's better for the wallet.

And even better for our bodies.