I'm a dreamer by nature, I have been ever since I was a little girl. And I am a firm believer that if you can dream it, it can happen. I see it time and time again in my own life and in other's lives. If you put it out there in the universe, more times than not, if you really believe it and are determined to make it happen, the dream comes true.

I was recently asked to share my dreams and goals from a company called Kabbage, who specialize in helping people achieve their small business or personal goals. I decided to partner with Kabbage on their Dream Venture Campaign to share my dreams and my hopes with you.

For me, it was somewhat easy to answer the question. I think about it everyday, it's the reason I do what I do and continue to write this blog.

PostedSeptember 8, 2014

AuthorLeigh Ann Chatagnier

CategoriesLife

TagsDreams, Kabbage, Dream Venture Campaign, Blogger

3 CommentsPost a comment

In high school, I became addicted to the Food Network. I watched it ALL the time, specifically I loved Rachael Ray and her 30-minute meals and even her sayings that might get on your nerves...I soaked it in. I grew up cooking with my mom, but I think it was Rachael Ray who taught me to properly chop and got me out of the box as far as cooking and wanting to try new food goes. There was something about being able to prepare an entire meal from scratch in 30 minutes that kept me watching. And no wonder, everybody needs a couple of quick meals in their back pocket for nights when you just need to get the food on the table. My 20-minute gnocchi skillet with smoked sausage and veggies has become my new go-to, fast and delicious meal.

A meal, that I think Ms. Ray herself would be proud of.

Gnocchi are potato dumplings and have the best pillowy texture, and I am a texture person through and through. I love the fact that like pasta, you can flavor it however you want to and with whatever ingredients are in the fridge. You boil it for 2-3 minutes and throw it in with the rest of the skillet and voila, dinner is ready.

PostedSeptember 5, 2014

AuthorLeigh Ann Chatagnier

CategoriesDinner

TagsGnocchi Recipes, Gluten Free, Gnocchi Skillet Recipes, Skillet Meals, 20 Minute Meal Recipes, 30 Minute Meals, Rachael Ray, Farm Fresh, Eat Local, Weeknight meals

3 CommentsPost a comment

Muscadine and Rosemary Smash Cocktails: My Diary of Us

Man is it Thursday already? Monday being a holiday really sped my week up and has kind of had me running around like a crazy lady all week. Please tell me I am not alone here. I have a couple of really exciting upcoming ventures that I am about to embark on and it has left little time for a moment to myself, but I am not complaining! Sometimes you need a moment though, so I think today I'll sip on this muscadine and rosemary smash cocktail and take a few breaths.

I have a confession, and it's that I actually have only had one experience with muscadines before this cocktail and it was drinking muscadine wine (Canean loves it) and I was not a fan. It was far too sweet for me. I don't think Cab girls can be muscadine wine girls. However I'm up for a good challenge and muscadines are in season and readily available in Louisiana right now. I figure, why not make something tasty and beautiful out of them?

PostedSeptember 4, 2014

AuthorLeigh Ann Chatagnier

CategoriesCocktails

TagsAnthropologie, Anthropologie Cocktail Glasses, Muscadine Cocktail Recipes, Muscadine Recipes, Gluten Free, Rosemary Cocktails, Fall Cocktails, Cocktail Recipes, Muscadines, Cheers, Thirsty Thursday Recipes, Thirsty Thursday

CommentPost a comment

Whole Wheat Drop Biscuits with Molasses Butter Glaze: My Diary of Us

Last week my mom was here and she started telling me about when she was a little girl, every Sunday they went to her grandmother's house and ate homemade biscuits with molasses butter. (Yes please, I'll have some right now.) I am still not sure why this tradition never carried on into my childhood, seems like one you would want to keep around if you ask me. I had a hard time getting over the fact that I missed out on such deliciousness my whole life as she went on and on about how amazing the biscuits were. By this time there was no turning back, I had to make some for myself. Whole wheat drop biscuits with molasses butter glaze should be everyone's Sunday tradition if you ask me.

This is for all of you lazy baker's out there (talking to myself here). You know for those times when you get a baking whim and don't have the time to knead, let rise, or roll out anything.

PostedSeptember 2, 2014

AuthorLeigh Ann Chatagnier

CategoriesBreakfast

TagsMolasses Recipe, Homemade Biscuits, Whole Wheat Drop Biscuits, Biscuit Recipes, Molasses Butter, Molasses Biscuit, Homemade, Baking, Kitchen Therapy, Kind Arthur Flour Recipes

CommentPost a comment

Happy Labor Day! I hope that you are being very laborless and enjoying the day off with your family! I have big plans on spending most of my day in the kitchen making pulled pork, testing cocktails (tough job) and prepping for the rest of the week while still managing to spend some QT with my main squeeze.

What do you do on your days off? I always end up in the kitchen. Somehow I end up there even if I had plans of doing something else. It's my space, my therapy, and my creative outlet where yummy and beautiful things that nourish my mind and body are developed.

It doesn't matter if it's a lazy Sunday, or a evening where I am exhausted, more times than not, I will still find myself drawn into the kitchen rummaging around until I find something to whip up. It's a magnetic pull.

PostedSeptember 1, 2014

AuthorLeigh Ann Chatagnier

CategoriesLife

TagsLabor Day, The Love of Cooking, Julia Child, Adandonment, Passions, Life, Cooking, Cooking Therapy, LIfe Therapy

CommentPost a comment

I have a dream of one day cooking with Bobby Flay and soaking in all of his grill master secrets. I could watch Bobby Flay's BBQ Addiction on the Food Network all day, everyday and be completely entertained and so what if I take notes like I am in school. His food is always bright, fresh, grilled to perfection, and there is always an unexpected twist of flavors. Sometimes I like to channel my inner Bobby Flay (even though I'm a girl) when I am coming up with a recipe or putting a twist on an old favorite. Burgers are a blank canvas to something tasty and beautiful and they beg to be made new. These Bibimbap pork burgers take my favorite pork burgers to a whole new level and they are going to knock your socks off.

PostedAugust 29, 2014

AuthorLeigh Ann Chatagnier

CategoriesBurgers

Tagspork burgers, bibimbap recipes, bibimbap burgers, Labor Day Recipes, Labor Day Ideas, Gochujang sauce, Grilled recipes, grilled burgers, Bobby Flay, BBQ addiction

CommentPost a comment