Tuesday, December 7, 2010

M: Recipes Every Man Should Know and Baking Madness

First of all, the winner of our Tate’s Giveaway is Lynn from The Actor’s Diet!! Lynn, just e-mail us at itzyskitchen at gmail dot com with your address so we can get your goodies to you!! Congrats!!

So, I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend! I had a VERY busy one…Well, Saturday was pretty crazy. We got our Christmas shopping done and ran errands all day long. You know, one of those errand-running days where you are literally driving everywhere in town to get everything? Oh well, it’s all good, I do love shopping during Christmastime =) All the shops are decorated and the lights are all out around town, it’s so festive and fun! Oh, and we did order up our Christmas cards – here is the pic of the pups we decided to use, they did some good posing!

Speaking of being of a super busy day, Sunday morning was so great, I got to meet a couple other Charleston bloggers for the first time! But as soon as I got home and sat down to make my grocery list for the week, it hit me….a migraine…ugh! Always at the most inopportune times!

Well, my hubby being the fantastic hubby that he is decided to do the laundry and vacuum and all that good stuff that I just didn’t feel up to! And last but not least, he made dinner! This was actually a perfect opportunity for him to get to use this new cookbook (disclaimer: we received this cookbook for free), Recipes Every Man Should Know.


It’s such a fun book, and really great for any husband, bachelor, boyfriend, father, etc to have! It goes over everything from kitchen tools and what they are to cooking terms and then lots of recipes that use simple ingredients and detailed instructions. It’s actually a pretty funny read too. Some of their anecdotes are seriously hilarious.

So, the hubs decided to make up their Baja Fish Tacos (I did manage to get off the couch long enough to take a few pics of course). He’s so cute cooking =)


And look how these babies turned out. He did such a good job!

They were SO good! And let me tell you, living in Charleston we have our pick of some amazing fish and fish tacos alike. I tend to like mine with simple, fresh ingredients…and I like the fish to be the star of the show. And I think this recipe did that beautifully =)

Maybe get this little book for your significant other as a stocking stuffer (wink wink)…maybe, just maybe, he’ll decide to surprise you with an awesome dinner!

Onto the fun stuff that I decided to bake up for the blogger baked goods exchange. First up, 101 Cookbook’s Nikki’s Healthy Cookie Recipe. Of course, I was in full bake mode at this point and completely forgot to take a picture of the end product. But I taste-tested! Isn’t that what a good baker does? These turned out so good! The combination of banana, coconut, and chocolate was seriously awesome.

Second, 101 Cookbook’s Carrot Oatmeal Cookies:

And last but not least, Sunflower Whole Wheat Quickbread from the Tate’s Bake Shop Cookbook:



I hope my blogger enjoys her goodies! I have never shipped baked goods before, so lets hope she gets everything in one piece!

Have you done any of your holiday shopping yet? I'm surprised we're done...usually I'm such a last minute shopper!

28 comments:

Jessica @ How Sweet said...

I'd love to get that book for my hubby but I still don't think it would get him in the kitchen. ;)

Pound said...

great gift idea!

cute pics of bryan cooking! those look delish! did he make homemade guac too?

Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg said...

Great gift idea for my husband-- thanks!! I haven't done ANY of my shopping yet...yikes!

Anonymous said...

What a fun cookbook!!!!
All of your baked goods look fabulous!!!!!

CaSaundraLeigh said...

I might have to get that book for my dad for Christmas--he seems to be taking over the cooking duties lately since my mom has been working more hours than usual! Your guy did such a fantastic job--they look gourmet! :-)

KatiePerk said...

It was great to meet you! And now I want one of each that you posted. xoxo

Tiffany @ The Chi-Athlete said...

Gorgeous noms, lady! That's an awesome cookbook.

Renee Paj said...

wow...how nice your husband cooks! I have been married for nearly 20 years, and my hubby's idea of cooking is takeout. He has no desire nor skills in the kitchen. Oh well. I don't even think the book would change his mind...that is why I have taught my boys their way around the kitchen. Some day, their wives will thank me! haha

SheFit said...

Yes! I now know what to get my hubby for christmas. He needs to pick up his cooking skills :)

Kerr said...

Your Christmas card picture is perfect! Great meeting you!

Corey @ the runner's cookie said...

Those baked goods sound awesome! I'm sure whoever gets them will love them :) You are DONE with your holiday shopping?? I'm so jealous...I've barely started!

Cookie Sorkin said...

So Mandy....I love how you and Erica include your men and doggies in your posts. I read and love every one of them. Just wanted you to know that as soon as I saw the cookbook for men I hopped online and bought it for Jeremy. At this point. med school is his barrier to finding a terrific woman ( like Josh and Bryan did)so he is on his own. Very frightening visual. Thanks for the recommendation! Mom Sorkin

Kayla (Little Miss Healthify) said...

Thanks for the link to the Carrot Cake cookies, those look divine!

I love your site, btw! Great recipes!

Katie said...

I love that your husband cooks! Those fish tacos look excellent.

The bread looks absolutely fabulous... I'm sure your blogger will love it!

Heather @ Get Healthy with Heather said...

What a sweet husband cooking dinner! That book sounds like a good addition to any couple's cookbook collection.

I bet your secret blogger would be happy with all of those goodies! They look delicious and healthy too :)

Anonymous said...

I love fish tacos! I think it is one of my favorite meals. I love how light and filling they are!

teresa said...

i really need to find that book! the cookies look awesome!

Amy at TheSceneFromMe said...

Wow, did you promise your dogs a treat to pose like that!
I have two puppies, with opposite personalities, they are so fun!
http://thescenefromme.com/2010/11/17/an-introduction/

Anonymous said...

Most definitely getting that book for my boyfriend. HE is just starting to enjoy cooking for himself! So proud:)

Foodie (Fab and Delicious Food) said...

What a fun cookbook! Never had fish tacos before, but they look good!

Simply Life said...

oh all of those recipes do look great!

Tina Marie Frawley said...

How on earth did you get the pups to sit still like that?! I tried everything with Buck last night...like I do every year at Christmas....and got nothing. Of course the one year I brought him to Petco to let the professionals take the picture, we ended up with Isis who was part of the adoption fair going on. Buck wanted nothing to do with getting his picture taken, and everything to do with the kitty in the cage...

BroccoliHut said...

Love the looks of those carrot cookies!
I've just bought a few gifts...I'm planning on getting most of my shopping done next week!

Julie said...

duuuuuuuuuuuude your hubs makes an amazing chef! those fish tacos look like serious restaurant status :) i better find a man who can cook up some fish tacs like that!

The Blonde Duck said...

I really want some fish tacos now.

Stephanie @cookinfanatic said...

what a cute book idea! looks like you got a great dinner out of it too!

that pup picture is freaking adorable :)

Heather (Where's the Beach) said...

Carrot and oatmeal cookies???? Yum. I am so lucky to have a hubby that enjoys cooking.

Lori said...

I want those carrot oatmeal cookies! Yum!