What's for dinner?

I love hearing those 3 little words - "What's for dinner?"  I also love seeing the intrigued look on Mr. Bell's face when I tell him I'm trying a new recipe (which is at least 1 if not multiple times that week).  Ever since the Chicken Cordon Bleu (click here for the story) my cooking style has come alive.  Now that I have my own kitchen again I am taking chances and challenging my culinary abilities! 

Here's are my general rules when it comes to dinner at the Bells:

#1: When menu planning I can only use 1 'simple go-to' recipe each week.
#2: I have to take 1 challenge whether that means buy a meat I've never cooked before, pick a recipe that seems really involved or chaotic, etc...
#3: Pick some recipes that will use up meats I already have that are simple yet new.

Now you must know - regardless of how complex or creative my cooking is, I still keep a very important book on my counter and it does get referenced for the most simple things.  I used it this week to double check the exact way to make hard-boiled eggs :)

Here are a few pictures from some of the 'creations' we've had recently.  Be encouraged and get a-cooking!

 Santa Fe Chicken Tacos with Black Beans and Watermelon

 Nacho Ribs with a Refried/Salsa Dip

Chicken Empanadas

Don't be surprised if my Christmas List suddenly has a cast iron skillet on it!

Until rest time... Mrs. Bell

Dinner Gone Right

You know those nights when you have a great idea for dinner and 1/3 of the way into it you realize you can't execute quite like you thought?  That was tonight.  I had bought Ribeye steaks this week (I had put "grill meat" on my menu planning and Ribeyes were on sale) and thought it would be a great night to BBQ.  We have a community BBQ that is right out my door so I figured I'd get the steak rub mixed and applied and then go fire it up while it marinated.  Long story short the BBQ was out of commission so I had to quickly decide how I was going to cook the meat.  I found this lovely recipe online and gave it a whirl.  It was fantastic!  Mr. Bell gave it an A+ (which is not quickly given when it comes to steaks) and H-Man downed half of mine!  I am really only posting this because some of you know my start to cooking and can see how far I've come from that awesome Chicken Cordon Bleu!

I used this rub, but I lessened the red pepper and added a hearty dash of onion powder. 

Mr. Bell prefers well-done so I did 3 minute flips in the oven 2x. 

I forgot to take a picture until Mr. Bell was going back for seconds!  Here's the best he could take before he devoured it. This picture does not so it justice!  Give this recipe a try!

Until rest time- Mrs. Bell