Hi everyone,

You may have noticed that I have been trying to give you more hints along with each recipe. I have found that it is often that little hint that makes the dish special or makes it your signature dish.

Now that I have officially retired. I hope to share more recipes with you and get your H&S newsletter and updates to you at least two twice a month. Below is our mid March recipe. Look for more this month.

This Cheddar-Chipotle Mashed Potatoes recipe is quick and easy because it starts with instant mashed potatoes and uses garlic and onion flakes. These tasty potatoes are delicious, especially when put under the broiler as I have suggested in the recipe.

A few years ago I bought 12 small white oven proof dishes shaped like little shells, I use them for foods like these to make individual servings when having guests. The dishes are pretty and inexpensive. I found them in a $ Store at the mall. You never know when or where you are going to find a great bargain.

Here are some recent recipes you may have missed. Or did not get a chance to print.

• Curried Ground Beef is an easy curry recipe for those times when you have thawed the
  ground beef or steak but want something a little different.
  
  
• A friend of mine loves Thai food, together we came up the our own version
  of Khai Yad Sai (stuffed omelette). This version is more of a shirred egg omelet. Omelette - Thai Style. Very good.
  
  
• Hot n' Spicy Meat Balls in Chicken Broth Recipe. This is such an easy recipe. The same ingredients can be also be used to make the potstickers you find in Chinese restaurants.
  
  
• Spicy Sauteed Mushrooms Over Toast are wonderful for brunch. Spicy sauteed mushrooms can be elegant over toast triangles. Serve with poached or scrambled eggs and broiled tomatoes.
  

I love cooking shows. Alas, I do not have cable, so when I get away for long weekends I watch Food TV while everyone else plays. I have a love-hate relationship with Rachael Ray and her 30 minute meals show. The recipes are always excellent and for the most part healthy. Like all of us sometimes she has to make that double chocolate brownie. So what is my complaint. It is that she insists on grabbing and holding all of the ingredients she will need to make dinner. I say it's OK to make 2 trips. All kidding aside, one of the reasons I like Rachael Ray is that she thinks like I do. If you eat decent sized portions you can have your breads, pastas, desserts and still eat healthful meals. She has a new cookbook titled Rachael Ray's 30-Minute Get Real Meals : Eat Healthy Without Going to Extremes. It will be released March 29 but I have already ordered it. It looks like she has a lot of recipes that kids will enjoy.

Also, do be sure to visit our Hot & Spicy Foods Forum to offer hints, get hints or share just share your favorite recipes with us. Do you have any happy hour or appetizer recipes with a little bite. We'd love to see them. You can get to the H&S Forum by going to the bottom of any H&S recipe page.

As always, please leel free to pass this on.

Until the next time,

Vannie Ryanes, Editor

And remember to add some spice to your life!


________________________________________________________________________________