Where I buy stuff:
by Patty

http://www.surfasonline.com
This site is great for restaurant quality kitchen items and ingredients. They also carry Nielsen-Massey extracts.

http://www.bakedeco.com
Awesome line of baking supplies/ingredients.

Homemade Mozzarella Cheese

by Patty

I guarantee you will absolutely have so much fun making cheese right in your own kitchen. My daughter enjoyed stretching the mozzarella! She made the one shaped like a ball. I made the one in the background (not as pretty as hers!).

I started by going online and bought a cheese making kit. Just follow the instructions, it's very quick (only 30 mins.) and easy. Tip: It is very important to use a stainless steel pot.

The mozzarella tasted so good. Nothing like fresh cheese!! I hope you try to make some!

Three Cheese Garlic Bread

by Patty

I used a basic pizza dough I found in one of my recipe books, The Joy of Cooking, to make this bread. After preparing and rising the dough, use a rolling pin to make the dough into a rectangular shape. Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil, sprinkle with garlic powder and bake at 425 for 10 minutes. Take out of oven, sprinkle with parmesan, romano and asiago cheeses and add a little more garlic powder. Bake for another 8 - 10 minutes.

Szechuan Green Bean Stir Fry

by Patty

Another easy, quick and delicious dish. Saute ground pork in a wok. Add chopped garlic, ginger and sugar. Add a little bit of chicken stock and simmer for a few minutes. Add green beans.

In a small bowl, mix chinese cooking wine, oyster sauce, light soy and cornstarch. Pour mixture over pork. Use chili sauce according to taste. Add cubed tofu and green onions if desired.