Belinda in Austin, TX

about me

I am an elementary teacher (25+ years!) in Austin, but my favorite reading materials aren't children's books, they are cookbooks/recipes! I am a single mom of two teenagers (actually, my DD just turned 23!), for whom I've always cooked great meals, which go eaten, but unrecognized for their greatness. :- ) So...I love to cook for others, and to have people ask for my recipes...which I am eager to share! I enjoy making easy recipes, but I especially love to take existing recipes and make them my own.
Update: My daughter's been out of the house for about 5 years, now, and my son's about to leave for college...sigh! So, I'm going to be looking for good "cooking for 1 or 2" recipes. So...if anyone has some they'd like to share, feel free to zmail me! I've also been bitten by the cruise bug, so maybe I'll be able to do more of that, now that I'm gonna' be an empty-nester!?
Update to the update:
My son not only came back home to go to college, but also brought his girlfriend to live with us, temporarily. I also have gotten bit by the Aerogarden bug, so I've been fixing a lot of Asian recipes, in order to use my abundance of Thai basil, which seems to grow crazy, every couple of days! So, now that's my new quest...recipes using Thai basil! In addition, I've planted an outside garden, with lots of tomatoes, squash, and cucumbers, so watch for reviews on recipes for all of these ingredients! I've just become a regular farmer! Shucks!

Favorite Foods:

My favorite types of foods are Tex-Mex and Italian. My favorite restaurants are Chuy's (Mexican) and Johnny Carino's (Italian); although, since I can't afford to eat out often (remember, that teacher salary!), I like to find copycat recipes for my favorite places. I've recently come up with a copycat recipe for Carino's Chicken Scallopini that is awesome, and very close to the "original." I now have learned to make Chuy's Creamy Jalapeno dip and Deluxe Tomatillo sauce; I may never eat out again! (totally kidding!) My easy salsa and creamy jalapeno dips are always a hit, as well as an easy Kahlua/Amaretto chocolate cake. I hope you enjoy my recipes as much as I do!

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