Simple Butter and Tomato Sauce

{Pasta Bowl by Lenox (Butterfly pattern in 'Cloud', $4.99... at TJ Maxx right now!}

My favorite food is Italian. Authentic Italian. I could eat pasta 7 days a week.

I consider Marcella Hazan, the "authority" of Italian cooking. Quite a few years ago, her son, Giuliano Hazan came out with a cookbook called "How to Cook Italian".

Giuliano says, "This sauce has been a favorite since my mother made it when I was a little boy. Now it is a favorite of my 5-year-old daughter, Gabriella. Nothing could be simpler, or more delicious. When flavorful ripe fresh tomatoes are in season, by all means use them. If it is winter and only mediocre tomatoes are available, a good quality canned tomato is best. When tossing pasta with it, mix in some freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese."

The minute he said it was a favorite of his since he was a boy, I flew to my pantry to make this. It had to be good. And that's what I want.... I want my children to remember me cooking in the kitchen. I want the house to smell of 'comfort' the minute they walk in the door from school.

This sauce is the PERFECT sauce when you have NO TIME to simmer marinara on the stove all afternoon like I do all the time. This is the ONLY sauce I use during soccer season, and on days that I'm running errands. As Christmas approaches, I can assure you, we will eat this once a week. Trust me, I've been making this for 6 years ! I never thought a simple sauce could really change your life, but it did ! I ALWAYS have these ingredients in the house, so at any given time, I can make this.

It's 100% comfort. With 4 ingredients, it's economical. Feeds my large family. But MOST importantly, it's seriously one of the most amazing, delicious sauces that I make.

I adore Giuliano for sharing this with us !! I love the entire cookbook ! {platter- Iroquois China ,Syracuse, New York - Thrift store, 70 cents.

pumpkin head scarecrow, TJ Maxx, $7.99 }

Simple Butter and Tomato Sauce (Sugo al Burro e Pomodoro)
HOW TO COOK ITALIAN by Giuliano Hazan

Makes enough for 1 pound dried pasta

1 large can, whole tomatoes, purred or 1 large can of crushed tomatoes
6 tablespoons butter (REAL BUTTER PLEASE!)
Salt
1 medium yellow onion

1. Coarsely chop the tomatoes and put them in a sauce pot.** I use my immersion blender right in the can. (carefully! ) then pour in sauce pan.
Place over medium heat, add the butter, and season with salt. (don't skip the salt!)

2. Peel the onion, trim away the root end, cut it in half, and add it to the pot.

When the tomatoes begin to bubble, lower the heat to low and simmer until the tomatoes are no longer watery and the sauce has reduced, 30-45 minutes, depending on the size and shape of the pot. The sauce will cook faster in a larger, wider pot. When the sauce is done you should not see any more liquid in the pan.

{I remove the onion and I like to serve it on the side with toasted baguette bread. The onion caramelizes and becomes very sweet ! Yummy !!}
Toss with your choice of 1 lb. pasta !

Note: Once cool, the sauce will keep in the refrigerator for 2-3 days or you can freeze it for up to two months.

You can't get much simpler than this !

It's DIY Day over at a soft place to land. Thanks Kimba !

Also Participating in Foodie Friday , & Friday's Family Recipe & Hooked on Houses.!

wind: air in natural motion, as that moving horizontally at any velocity along the earth's surface:

con⋅tem⋅plate: to consider thoroughly; think fully or deeply about

doze: to fall into a light sleep unintentionally

a⋅maze: to overwhelm with surprise or sudden wonder; astonish greatly.

It's Outdoor Wednesday at a southern daydreamer, WATERY Wednesday, and Waterside Wednesday hosted by the wonderful Barbara Jacksier & Wordful Wednesday ! !

Lemon Bars

I have recently become a huge apron fan. I'm tired of ruining my clothes in the kitchen !

I found this darling apron at TJ Maxx last week. It's feminine, flirty and I can't wait to wear it while I'm making Thanksgiving dinner ! { I tried it on for Mr.B and all I can say is I think I blushed ! } At least I can feel pretty while I cook !!

I love this color combo !

Introducing my Frugalicious Friday find !

{ TJ Maxx apron, $7.99 }

I had a hankering for something sweet & tart, so I made lemon bars. I didn't have time to whip out my kitchen aide so I made this standby when I have zero time, but need a dessert.

I use Krusteaz Lemon Bar Mix. ( and NO, I did not get paid to review this product. It's just a box in my pantry that I've been using for years )

Follow instructions on the box and Just add the juice of 1 fresh lemon... and it is sooo good ! I keep a box in my pantry for unexpected company, or when I'm in the mood for something sweet but don't want to mess the kitchen !

{Also participating in Blue Monday over at Smiling Sally's !}

The Wine Exchange (oh, and a giveaway)

Today was errand day. I came home with a new book. You know what that means, don't you ?

My book shelf is full, so in order for her to live here, she needs for one of my books to leave. You know...the whole 'cozy kitchen' thing applies to my whole house.

Outtakes from a Marriage by Ann Leary.

I really enjoyed this book. I won't give anything away, except to say that if I was the 'wife' in this book, I would have acted and felt the same way. I mean...um..EXACTLY THE SAME WAY !

I found that when I was reading this book, my stomach was clenched ! It was very real, and it had to come from 'experience'....it just had to. I know the author denied that it was based on her life with Dennis, but I beg to differ. {I'm just sayin'......!! }You can read about it here.

If you're looking for a fall read, please leave a comment on this post to enter the giveaway. And if you won in the past, enter again ! It's ok to win twice !

Random.org will pick the winner Tuesday morning !

Now, for the good stuff !

Tonight I'm tasting Toasted Head Cabernet Sauvignon ."With a bouquet of cherry and blackberry fruit... Notes of chocolate, leather, roasted coffee, and sweet oak linger in the mouth. Tannins are mouthfilling but soft, with a hint of smoke. "

This is my kind of wine. I love everything about it. And so does Mr.B !! TGIF.... {I found it on sale for $9.99 and I will buy it again this fall.} Yummy !

{Don't forget...to enter the giveaway, just leave me a comment ! }

Stromboli

I made this for lunch last year on Christmas Eve. It was a huge hit with the kids and I've been making it ever since. It's super easy, yummy and a lot cheaper than ordering pizza on Friday Night.

Stromboli {adapted from Rachel Ray's version} I like to double this recipe.

1 tube refrigerated pizza dough (recommended: Pillsbury brand)
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour or corn meal
1/4 pound sliced pepperoni, about 24 slices
6 slices provolone, deli sliced
6 slices Italian hot ham
8 slices Genoa salami
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons grated Parmigiano or Romano

Note: For this version, I used mozzarella, ham & pepperoni because it's all I had on hand. That's what I love about this recipe. You can use whatever you want. It's great if you serve marinara sauce on the side to dip in !

Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Break open the tube of dough and remove it from container. Dust your hands and lightly coat the dough with flour or cornmeal the roll out onto work surface. Stretch out dough, gently spreading out the rectangle shape it has been formed into already. Cover dough with: 6 slices pepperoni, 1 1/2 slices cheese, 1 1/2 slices hot ham and 2 slices Genoa salami leaving a 1 inch border. Starting at the long end, roll up the dough into a cylinder, pinching the edges to seal. Brush dough with extra-virgin olive oil then add grated parmesean cheese.
Bake until evenly golden, 12 to 14 minutes.

(Serve with marinara on the side for dipping.)

It's DIY day over at a soft place to land.

Also participating in Foodie Friday at Designs by Gollum & Friday's Family Recipe & Hooked on Houses.

Yesterday was a gorgeous day after so many days of rain. We just had to take the boat out. Leaving shore, look what I spotted ! I love that blue truck. To me , that's in the blue family...right Sally ? By the way, it's Blue Monday at Smiling Sally.

Walking along the coast,just look at what I found ! My very first starfish and sand dollars ! I never, ever thought I'd be so lucky. These little beauties must have been waiting just for me to take them home. I found this perfect bowl at a local vintage store. It's all tattered looking, but I love it. It's shallow, and the perfect home for these newbies at the Cozy Kitchen !

Participating in Thrifty Finds at Southern Hospitality

Outdoor Wednesday over at a Southern Daydreamer, and Watery Wednesday and finally

Waterside Wednesday hosted by the wonderful Barbara Jacksier !

Buffalo Chicken Strips

This one's for the boys...

What is it with men and hot wings anyways ?

I tried Martha Stewart's Buffalo wings. They were great. It took me forever to prepare, and that was a few years ago, and I was never inspired to make them again. It was just too messy and fussy for me.

I have a secret and I'm going to share it with you. Come here.... a little closer....ok...that's good.

Ready ?

These came out of a bag !

This summer I tried Tyson Buffalo Chicken Strips simply because they were on sale at Walmart.

If you could have seen the look on my hubby's face when he came home for dinner and tried one.... his exact words were.... "Did you pick these up from Hooters ?"

I've never eaten at Hooters. Ever. { But I hear they serve great buffalo wings. } Ya, right ! He loved these, and even splashed extra Franks Sauce on his because he likes his wings super hot. I thought they were hot enough ! Just serve with blue cheese or ranch on the side...and you're done. How easy is that ?

I always have to have an 'back up plan' on days I run way too many errands, like today. I was comforted knowing that dinner was taken care of.

These are perfect for football season... a lot of people tailgate.. or just stash a bag in your freezer so when you are out shopping all day, you know what's for dinner. So, there. That's my secret. It's my version of not cooking, but everyone's still happy !

They really are good. I mean really good ! I hate to admit it, because I take pride in cooking for my family, but my hubby has actually called from work to ask if I can make these !

Do yourself a favor, give yourself the night off in the kitchen, and serve these up. If you like hot wings, you'll like these.

Participating in Foodie Friday & Friday's Family Recipe

Miss Mermaid

I grabbed my camera and headed to town.

How I adore Miss Mermaid atop this old home.

These homes are from waaay back when pirates came to shore...

soooo romantic.... I can imagine Elizabeth Swann in a white flowy dress standing on that balcony

looking towards the water, waiting for Jack Sparrow to come back from the sea.... (sigh)

This is her view...

It's Outdoor Wednesday hosted by the wonderful Susan at a Southern Daydreamer & Waterside Wednesday,hosted by Barbara Jacksier &Watery Wednesday , and hooked on houses.

Million Dollar Oats 'n Honey Granola Pie

I cried on my birthday.
Why ?

Because when I was busy making coffee,
my daughter was busy washing Barbie's hair.

I asked her Why?

"Because it's your birthday and I want her to look pretty".

{sniffle }

She could hardly contain herself as she said she had lots of presents for me and that she wrapped them all herself.

She was right !
11 presents and 12 tulips.
That's lots and lots of presents and flowers !
{sniffle}

My boys are really sick with the flu, but one of them felt 'well' enough to come downstairs with a gift for me.
My boys are LEGO fanatics. They have bins and bins full of legos. They create the most amazing original Lego Creations ever.
This is what he made.

{Go ahead, hand me a tissue would ya ?}

A replica of my kitchen.

He knows how much time I spend in this kitchen and he knows my love of cooking. He even made sure my 'nick knack' shelf was there ( left side ).

And he knows it's my dream to have wood floors in my kitchen one day... so he said..."Mom, I even gave you wood floors."

Let me tell you... I cried like a baby.

These lego floors are the only floors I will ever need. Thank you God, for blessing me with a child so loving and thoughtful. I will never want for anything more than the love of my children.

{I feel like Julia Child. Yes I do.}

Oh ! And speaking of Julia and cooking... I made a pie for my birthday by default ! I was actually searching for my cake recipe and couldn't find it, and this happened to be on top, and I only had 30 seconds before I had to leave for the grocery... soooo

I made THE PIE that won $1 MILLION dollars in the 2004 Pillsbury Bake off created by Suzanne Conrad .

Can you imagine ?? $1 million dollars ! Um...I still wouldn't trade it for my Lego Kitchen or 11 presents and 12 tulips.

But boy howdy, it was GOOD !! And I'm not even a pie girl !

It was still amazing the next day, so if I make this for a party, I will go ahead and make it the day before because I hate rushing around when I expect company.

Oh...and another thing.

I used a deep dish pie dish with this...but I'll use a regular pyrex pie dish next time because the filling didn't go to the tippy top.

Without further ado.....

Created by Suzanne Conrad

Million Dollar Oats 'n Honey Granola Pie

1 refrigerated Pillsbury® pie crust (from 15-ounce box), softened as directed on box Filling
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup corn syrup
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 eggs , lightly beaten
4 Nature Valley® Oats 'n Honey crunchy granola bars (2 pouches) crushed. To easily crush granola bars, do not unwrap. Use rolling pin to crush bars.

1/2 cup chopped walnuts *(I did NOT add, just because my family is not crazy about nuts in desserts)

1/4 cup quick-cooking or old-fashioned oats
1/4 cup chocolate chips
Whipped cream or ice cream , if desired

Heat oven to 350°F.

Place pie crust in 9-inch glass pie pan as directed on box for One-Crust Filled Pie.In large microwavable bowl, microwave butter on high 50 to 60 seconds or until melted.

Stir in brown sugar and corn syrup until blended. Beat in salt, vanilla and eggs.Stir crushed granola bars, walnuts, oats and chocolate chips into brown sugar mixture. Pour into crust-lined pan.

Bake 40 to 50 minutes or until filling is set and crust is golden brown.

During last 15 to 20 minutes of baking, cover crust edge with strips of foil or pie shield to prevent excessive browning.

Cool at least 30 minutes before serving.

Serve warm, at room temperature, or chilled with whipped cream or ice cream.

Store in refrigerator.

{Participating in Tuesdays at the table & Tasty Tuesday & it's DIY day over at a soft place to land }

Blue Skies

So here's a peek outside my kitchen window... Thank you God for such beautiful blue skies !

Happy Blue Monday ! {Thank you Smiling Sally for hosting!}

Smokey BBQ Brisket

One of my hubby's favorite childhood memories is that of his dad making smoked brisket in a real smoker... Everytime we fly out to visit, his dad has smoked brisket waiting for him.
Well, I wanted to bring that 'feeling' into our home. I think it's important to make not only my favorite childhood foods, but also my husbands. But I don't have a smoker and I don't want one. I don't have the room. Remember, I live in a cozy house. {Very little storage }

Being married to a guy from Missouri means I had to find the most awesome smoked bbq brisket recipe out there, and I have ! I've been making this for years. It's simple. It's economical. This brisket was $13.99 . You can get it for around $8.00 when it's on sale !! It feeds my large family. Makes enough for leftovers ( Yahoo ! ) and get this... my husband said it rivals his dad's ! I almost cried right then and there !

When COZY weather arrives, you will be sooooooo HAPPY you bookmarked this recipe ! I promise, it's SOOOOO GOOD !!

{La Rochere goblet in the "Bee"pattern from TJ Maxx ! $2.99 }

1 (4- to 6-pound) beef brisket, trimmed
1 (5-ounce) bottle liquid smoke
1 onion, chopped
2 teaspoons garlic salt
1 to 2 teaspoons salt
1/3 cup Worcestershire sauce
1 (12- to 18-ounce) bottle barbecue sauce ( I use KC Masterpiece )

Place brisket in a large shallow dish or extra-large, heavy-duty zip-top plastic bag; pour liquid smoke over brisket. Sprinkle evenly with onion, garlic salt, and salt. Cover or seal, and chill 8 hours, turning occasionally.

Remove brisket, and place on a large piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil, discarding liquid smoke mixture. Pour Worcestershire sauce evenly over brisket, and fold foil to seal; place wrapped brisket in a roasting pan.

Bake at 275° for 5 hours. ( I put the lid on also )

Unfold foil; pour barbecue sauce evenly over brisket. Bake 1 more hour, uncovered.

{Southern Living, JULY 2003 }

It's DIY day over at a soft place to land & Foodie Friday at Designs by Gollum and it's my Frugal Friday post because this feeds a lot of people for very little & hooked on houses and Friday's Family Recipe ! Whew ! Why ? Because everyone needs this recipe ! I need a nap now !

Outdoor Wednesday

jump: to spring clear of the ground or other support by a sudden muscular effort; leap: to jump into the air...extend: to stretch forth or hold out...

It's Outdoor Wednesday hosted by the wonderful Susan at a Southern Daydreamer & Waterside Wednesday,hosted by Barbara Jacksier !

Patrick.Swayze. Yep, definitely one of the first crushes I ever had.
I have never seen him dance with his wife before, and thought this was a beautiful tribute to him, and the love and life they shared.

Swayze wrote about his love for his wife. “How grateful I am that you chose to love me. I know that because of you, I’ve found my spirit. I saw the man I wanted to be. You are my woman, my lover, my mate and my lady. I loved you forever, I love you now and I will love you forever more.”