Anna's Tiny Kitchen

I don't know many people who can resist the creamy goodness of pasta!  It is so versatile and so comforting!  It's interesting how preparing food for you friends and loved ones can evoke memories of love and joy.   The last time I made this mouth-watering, one-pot dish, I was watching the absolutely charming movie, Cafe Society.    My two college-age children had come over for dinner and a movie.  Yep, I made this recipe that night.  Cafe Society and Creamy Florentine Pasta will forever be lovingly linked in my heart. This recipe is one of my favorites and it is simple to make!  It only takes 30 minutes and you cook everything in the same pan.  No messy bowls, saucepans, etc.   You can also make this delicious pasta dinner without the meat.  It is yummy either way! 1 lb. of chicken breasts, diced (optional) 1 T. extra-virgin olive oil 1/2 T  butter 2 minced garlic cloves 1 t. salt 1 t...

Sometimes I crave a crunchy, slightly sweet morsel to enjoy with my morning coffee.  These cookies fit the bill!  They are crunchy around the edges (perfect for dunking) and chewy in the center.   The whole wheat pastry flour and the steel cut oats provide fiber and heartiness.  They are low sugar and studded with dried fruit and nuts.  The chocolate is optional.  I won't tell! 3 ½ cups whole wheat pastry flour 1 ½ cups steel cut oats 1 T. ground cinnamon 1 tsp. baking soda ½ tsp. salt 1 cup butter ½ cup granulated sugar ¼ cup dark brown sugar 2 large eggs 1 T. vanilla extract ½ cup dark chocolate, chopped ½ cup dried cranberries and/or raisins 1 cup sliced almonds (toasted in a dry, hot pan till golden and cooled completely). Preheat oven to 350 degrees.   Line cookie sheets with parchment paper or foil. Toast your almonds and set them aside to cool. In a medium bowl, whisk flour, oats, cinnamo...

Growing up, my mother made this roasted chicken OFTEN with little variation.  She never used cookbooks, but everything always came out perfectly! This dish is so full of flavor and texture!  The trick is to slow roast at a high temperature and let it rest for 15 minutes, once you take it out of the oven.  It' easy to make and so satisfying! Make sure you serve it with fresh bread to sop up all the deliciousness from the sauce! 1 whole chicken, cut up into about 8 pieces 5 red potatoes, quartered 1 onion, chopped 4 garlic cloves, chopped 4 Roma tomatoes, chopped into large pieces  Olive oil Lots of chopped Parsley 2 t. Seasoned Salt  2 t. Regular salt 2 t. Black Pepper 1 T. Paprika In a large baking dish, zig zag olive oil across the bottom of the dish, covering most of it.  Cut slits on chicken pieces so that spices can seep into the meat. Place chicken pieces in oiled dish, skin side up. Nestle potatoes between chicken pieces throu...

This dish is the perfect comfort food.  Layers of thinly sliced potatoes, savory ham, and a cheesy, rich sauce bake to golden perfection!  Serve with a fresh salad and some hot rolls and you've got yourself a truly delectable dinner for your family and/or friends.  4 tablespoons pure butter 1 cup diced onion 3 garlic cloves, minced ⅓ cup all-purpose flour 3 cups 2% or whole milk  1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon pepper 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded plus 1/2 cup 2 pounds russet potatoes, washed and very thinly sliced, tossed in a little olive oil plus a dash of salt and pepper to taste 1 pound diced ham (about 4 cups) 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped plus 2 Tablespoons pinch of Paprika Preheat oven to 375ºF and coat a 3 quart baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.  In a large skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add chopped onion and cook, stirring occasionally, for 6 minutes. Add garlic and 1/2 cup of parsley and cook fo...

These treats are perfect for a Fall evening!  Loaded with Pumpkin and gooey caramels, these Blondies are insanely delicious and addictive.  Plus, they are super easy to make! 2 1/2 cups all-purpose unbleached flour 2 teaspoons cinnamon 1 heaping teaspoon Pumpkin Pie spice 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 cup butter, melted 1 cup dark brown sugar 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1 egg, lightly beaten 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 1 can (15 oz.) Pumpkin puree 1 bag (11 oz.) caramels, unwrapped 1/2 cup evaporated milk Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.  Line a 9x13 inch baking pan with parchment paper.   In a bowl, combine melted butter, egg, and vanilla.  Mix until smooth.  Add sugars and beat well.  Stir in Pumpkin puree and mix well.  Add in flour, cinnamon, Pumpkin Pie spice, baking soda, and salt.  Mix until just combined and smooth. Pour about 2/3 of the mixture into the prepared pan.  The mixture will...

1 cup unsalted butter, softened 1 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup granulated sugar 2 eggs 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 3.4 oz. Instant Vanilla Pudding mix 2 cups unbleached, all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon salt 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips 16 Oreo cookies, broken into pieces In a large bowl cream together butter, brown sugar and sugar. Beat in the eggs and vanilla; beat until light and fluffy.  Mix in the vanilla pudding mix and beat well.    Mix in the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until well blended. Stir the chocolate chips and Oreo pieces.  Yummy! Grease a 9 x 13 inch pan with butter. Pat batter into the pan with buttered fingers.  Bake at 350 degrees for 20 - 22 minutes. Do not want to over-bake!    Yield: 24 bars Recipe adapted from  www.sixsistersstuff.com