DIY-Made From Scratch Archives - Cooking In Stilettos™

Kalua Pork Tacos with Pineapple Mango Salsa and A DIY Taco Bar #OEPBigGame

January 12, 2017 By Aly 5 Comments

For the big game, this easy prep-ahead DIY Taco Bar with Kalua Pork Tacos with Pineapple Mango Salsa with be a team favorite!

This post has been sponsored by Old El Paso and Walmart. Thank you for supporting brands that I adore and trust in my kitchen!

The big game is fast approaching – have you started thinking about those must have game day eats? This year, it’s all about tacos for my game day menu with my easy and delicious prep-ahead DIY Taco Bar.

When it comes to tacos, one of my mandatory game day taco dishes is a slow cooked Pork Tinga packed with pork, sausage, and potatoes. For an aloha spin, I will be going non-traditional with Kalua Pork Tacos with Pineapple Mango Salsa. A zippy quick Fish Taco can be made with baked fish sticks seasoned with Old El Paso taco seasoning, fresh cabbage, Pineapple Mango Salsa and touch of lime crema. To go with everything, I also have various condiments available for my guests such as a rich lime crema, refried beans, salsas, avocados, fresh limes and lots of shredded queso blanco, one of my favorite Mexican cheeses…

Tried and True: Homemade Cornbread Mix

November 28, 2016 By Aly 4 Comments

Homemade Cornbread Mix is so easy to make from scratch with just a few ingredients from your pantry! This pantry staple is perfect for busy weeknights or would make a fabulous holiday gift!

This post may contain affiliate links to products I adore and trust in my kitchen. Thank you for supporting Cooking In Stilettos.

Today I have something that is not only fabulous for your pantry but would make a fantastic gift for the holidays or just a money saver for that shopping fund – a Homemade Cornbread Mix that will have you skipping that little baking mix box that I know many of you keep in the pantry. Whenever the need for cornbread or corn muffins arises, your pantry has all of the staples to make them from scratch.

Over the past year, I have found myself shopping more at the outer perimeters of the grocery store, focusing more on fresh produce, meats and dairy and if I can make something from scratch, I find that to be better for me. I have been having issues with various processed foods and while I am nailing down what exactly is it that is making my system go all wonky, I have been sticking to buying ingredients from brands I trust and reading those labels on the side of the package. They say stress does a number on one’s digestive system and I guess with over 15 years built up of legal eagle stress, it’s probably only natural that once I finally leave law behind that my system decides that it’s going to give me quite the roller coaster ride. I have found that when I’m cooking, I control the quality of the ingredients and when I use fresh quality ingredients, all is right in the world. …

Homemade Instant Pancake and Waffle Mix

August 6, 2016 By Aly 9 Comments

Forget the store-bought pancake and waffle mix. This easy Homemade Instant Pancake and Waffle Mix is a pantry staple for busy mornings and makes delicious fluffy pancakes and waffles!

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links of products that I adore and trust in my kitchen. Thank you for supporting Cooking In Stilettos. This recipe originally appeared on Cooking In Stilettos in March of 2012. The recipe has been updated with new photos and any recipe changes that I have incorporated over the years.

A few years ago, I posted a recipe for Blueberry Ricotta Pancakes which advocated the use of an instant pancake mix and one of my fave bloggers told me that I should make and not buy the mix. Trust me – when Sue speaks, I listen. Plus – having dealt with one too many “pantry pests”, I’d feel much better knowing where everything came from. Let’s not even get into the cost of buying one of those big box brands and shelf life questions….

Pumpkin Spice Granola

July 14, 2016 By Aly 13 Comments

Pumpkin Spice Granola will be your new favorite with the flavors of pumpkin, maple and spice woven into an easy homemade granola. This Pumpkin Spice Granola is a delicious way to start the day or whenever you want a healthy snack

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links of products that I adore and trust in my kitchen. Thank you for supporting Cooking In Stilettos. This recipe originally appeared on Cooking In Stilettos in October of 2012. The recipe has been updated with new photos and any recipe changes that I have incorporated over the years.

While out shopping, I happened to stop by Barnes & Noble. While I was perusing the cookbook section, I happened to notice a stack of books on the back counter and lo and behold, at the top of the book pile was Cook Yourself Sexy: Easy Delicious Recipes for the Hottest, Most Confident You, from one of my fave stiletto gals, Candice Kumai. I have had the book pre-ordered for months but that wasn’t slated to be delivered until release day. Being the impatient stiletto wench that I am, it was a no-brainer. I grabbed one of the copies and went straight to the register. Recipes had to be made and no time like the present, right?…

Tried and True: Kona Coffee Spice Rub

July 1, 2016 By Aly 9 Comments

This sweet and savory Kona Coffee Spice Rub is the ultimate coffee rub for your favorite steaks, burgers or grilling recipes

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links of products that I adore. Thank you for supporting Cooking In Stilettos.

Happy July y’all! Have you finalized your weekend cookout menu yet? I have a last minute addition that will deliver on flavor and have your guests raving about your culinary genius – a Kona Coffee Spice Rub that will take your favorite steak, burger or chicken to new flavorful heights!

The 4th of July is always a fun time here in one of the cities that was home to our country’s Founding Fathers. I have been a history buff since my college days and the Revolutionary War and Colonial times is fascinating to me. Philly has a huge 4th of July Celebration and I’m looking forward to seeing some amazing shows including Philly’s own Leslie Odom, Jr. (aka Aaron Burr) from the Broadway smash Hamilton performing. I don’t know about you but I have had the Hamilton soundtrack on repeat and if you haven’t listened to it – give it a shot. I find the wordplay brilliant and the vocals are on point! Check out one of my favorite songs from the soundtrack – “Wait For It”

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