LIFE IS GOOD and Elbow Macaroni with Toasted Breadcrumbs

It is a wonder how ones mood changes with the weather. And today is sunny and warm and beautiful. Even the brownish grass in the lawn looks somewhat brighter! Lawn- that just remained me of an old quarrel between Marie and Frank (Everybody Loves Raymond): "Who invented the lawn?" LOL So, my mood is on its highest, just put into oven some cabbage loafs, made some salad with leftover steamed cabbage leaves (with tons of garlic!), and stirred my "sourdough mother"! The procedure started yesterday after I bookmarked and printed out the recipe @Stumptown Savoury. There are many many wonderful recipes on this site, please do check them out! You can find the recipe here. Can hardly wait until my "sourdough mother" is ready and I can start baking with it!!!

Another good thing elated me today: I got a Stylish Blogger Award from  Elyse @The Cultural Dish! Thank you Elyse! If you follow this blog you  are probably familiar with super elegant Valentine Profiteroles and Cake Balls. If not, what are you waiting for, click that links and indulge yourself in yumminess! Official thank is on My Awards page.

Yesterday I mentioned my little computer helper, my youngest son. I wanted to glue his photo to the post but as he wasn't into it, I just let go. Anyhow, after he read all the flattering comment, he kind of said: "Oh well you can just put me on if you like!"  So here he is. I took the pic this morning before his concert. He is playing cielo.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S and SNODDAS CAKE

The love holiday is almost over, but that doesn't mean that we'll forget to share this lovely feeling in the days to come. In Nashville, we had a day filled with warm sunshine, which gave me a special boost after all the snow and cold we had last week. Yes, it was a wonderful day :) I baked this cake yesterday beacuse my daughter wanted to share a special treat with her friends and teachers. I hid two pieces for my husband and me and we enjoyed them with our coffee this morning.

Snoddas

DELICIOUS GINGERBREAD CAKE with ORANGE GLAZE

First, I'm very excited to tell you that I won Table for Two - The Cookbook for Couples: "Hello Mateja, As part of our goal to reach 525 followers, you were randomly chosen to receive a copy of Table for Two - The Cookbook for Couples. Please send me your address and I will send you an autographed copy right away. Thanks for following! Bon Appetit! Warren Caterson" Can hardly wait until the book arrives and I can immerse myself in reading of yumminess! Please do visit Warren's site @Table for Two Cookbooks. The introduction to his blog is spot on : "Table for Two Cookbooks: Presenting a temptingly delicious platter piled high with recipes for two, time-saving kitchen tips, helpful cooking hints, and winsome commentary - all served with a side of garlic-infused humor and a steaming bowl of buffoonery."
My husband is very simple and plain when cakes are in question, so I had to split this cake in half. The plain half is all his to enjoy, while me and the kids are enjoying the glazed half. Originally, the glaze covers only the top of the cake, but as I had plenty of glaze on hand, I just opened the cake and filled it with some glaze too.

Delicious Gingerbread Cake With Orange Glaze

BAKED NOT FRIED

Simple cakes that are not fried but baked in the oven. I usually fry zucchini cakes on the stove top in an inch of oil, but this time, being in a hurry I decided to just pop them into the oven, so they'll be all done at the same time. No frying, no oily mess, and with aluminum foil covering the baking sheet, no pan washing either!

And after the zucchini cakes were a success, I decided to try tomato-onion cakes the same way! This recipe is easy, quick, no mess, and the variations are endless!

Zucchini Cakes In Oven
Baked Tomato Onion Cakes

POTATO-MUSHROOM CAKES

So, today we had a fry day, which means that everything for dinner was fried: breaded zucchini (http://indulginglife.blogspot.com/2010/09/two-way-zucchini.html#more), spicy spheres (http://indulginglife.blogspot.com/2010/10/spicy-spheres.html#more), and potato-mushroom cakes, with side of marinara sauce and simple salad with tahini dressing (http://indulginglife.blogspot.com/2010/11/simlpe-salad-with-tahini-dressing.html#more). Not healthy at all, but so darn yummy!

Potato-Mushroom Cakes

SIMLPE SALAD with TAHINI DRESSING

This simple salad pares well with rice dishes, and if you have falafel on hands, you can put together the “bestest” sandwich, wrap or pita pocket ever.

You can find the recipe for falafel here: http://indulginglife.blogspot.com/2010/09/best-veggie-patties-ever-falafel.html#links 

Simlpe Salad With Tahini Dressing

EVEN THE SIMPLEST SOUP CAN BE FULFILLING

There is nothing more comforting and soothing than a bowl of pipping hot soup on a cold day or on any day when you feel that you need a boost or an extra hug...


I always keep chicken and veggie bouillon in my pantry, pre-chopped celery, sweet green peas and sweet corn kernels in my freezer, and of course there is always enough potatoes in our house to feed an army. So I can put this simple soup together in less than 1/2 an hour.

There is nothing that makes me feel more warm and cozy inside than a bowl of a good soup. Now all I need is my favorite blanky and a good movie. Come, join me!

Even The Simplest Soup Can Be Fulfilling