Austrian Coffee Cake

From: Husbands that Cook

Hot Mama Grade: A-

Hot Mama Notes: This is a good coffee cake recipe. Maybe not the best ever, but very tasty and pretty easy to make. The authors doubled the topping amount, but I think I would leave it as the original amount if I make this again. A very tasty coffee cake! :) 

Vegan Paella

From: Husbands that Cook

Hot Mama Grade: A

Hot Mama Notes: I must say I've had good luck with the recipes from Husbands that Cook! This recipe is very good. Almost like a risotto. I used short grain rice, as I did not have arborio rice available. I left out the capers, as well, as I did not have them, and I don't think they add much in general. Frys doesn't carry piquillo peppers, so based on researching substitions, I used jarred mild banana peppers and jarred Roasted red peppers (based on the recipe book recommendation). The main flavors of the dish are the artichoke hearts and the pickled peppers. I will add chicken for my kids that like everything with meat!! I would make this again. Lots of chopping.

One-Pot Pasta Primavera

From: Husbands that Cook

Hot Mama Grade: A

Hot Mama Notes: This recipe is very good. I would make it again. It is a lot of chopping, but I guess any whole food type recipe will be that way. I do like the one pot. I did worry, but it turned out well! I did add an extra cup of water out of fear! I think when I serve this to my kids, I will make some chicken and add it, as my kids like meat with their vegetables. The one tiny pepper adds a lot of flavor and punch!

Hazelnut Fudge

Originally from:Husbands that Cook Cookbook

Hot Mama Grade: B

Hot Mama Notes: I need to remember 2 things when making fudge. 1. Fudge is a ton of work!! 2. I don't even like fudge that much.  Sigh. Plus, even though I was being careful, I was not careful enough. I was tired and instead of putting 2/3 c evaporated milk in the pan, I put the full 12 Oz can. Oops. :/ so then I was scrambling to double all the other ingredients to salvage the fudge. Also, I hate candy thermometers, incessant stirring, and the heat! :(. I had a taste test, and it seems OK. But I swear. Never again! It's just not worth it!! 

Life-changing Corn Bread

Originally from:Husbands that Cook

Hot Mama Grade: B

Hot Mama Notes: This corn bread is really more like corn cake. And it is very wet. I am not sure I like the moistness. I ate mine with a spoon. Plus, it needs to be refrigerated, or it goes rancid in a few days (vile smells). I don't think I will make this again!

Cauliflower Chick Pea Curry

Originally from: Husbands Cooking Cookbook 

Hot Mama Grade: A-

Hot Mama Notes: This curry is good. Better with chicken in it!! I used canned chicken because I was too tired to cook up chicken, but it would be even better with fresh cooked chicken. This recipe makes a ton of food! We ate it Saturday, Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday before finishing it. I should have used a less spicy curry powder, but what I had was penzeys hot curry powder, so that is what I used. I didn't add the pepper.

Spicy 5 Bean Chili

Originally from: Husbands that Cook Cookbook

Hot Mama Grade: A

Hot Mama Notes: This is an excellent chili recipe! I am really impressed by how tasty it is! It is easy, but a lot of chopping. Also, it has all the beans!! But they are balanced by the abundance of vegetables. I also added a pound of ground beef. It was a great addition. I will definitely make this recipe again! The kids like it, as well, and that is a tall order!

The only substitution I did was great Northern beans for white navy beans. I served with sour cream, shredded cheddar, and tortilla strips. I omitted the hot pepper, as I worried it would be too hot. I used one can of rotel seasoned tomatoes and one Hunt's first roasted chopped tomatoes. These together with the smoked paprika added lots of great flavors!