Hi Cooking Moms, Dads & Friends,

I hope you had a great week! Okay, confession…February isn’t my favorite month here in Wisconsin. Now that the Super Bowl and Valentine’s Day are in the rear view mirror, I’ve got a touch of cabin fever. Thank goodness for Arlo, the dog! He’s keeps us out walking all winter long. We’re planning a winter hike this weekend. I say you gotta do something to change things up and have some fun, especially this time of year! Why not make a special meal this weekend? Cooking up a storm is my way to beat the winter blues. This weekend, I’m going throw on an apron, put on some music and cook up some of my favorites!

We love doing a special weekend brunch on the weekends. It’s so fun to sleep in and stay comfy and cozy at home sometimes. What a treat! My Overnight Blueberry French Toast Bake is ALWAYS a huge it. I love it because you can assemble the whole dish the night before and bake it up in the morning when you’re ready. Fry up some bacon or sausage pop open a bottle of bubbly for some mimosas and WOW! What a fun weekend morning. Click Breakfast and Brunch for more delicious recipes to wake to.

For dinner, I had a pork tenderloin in the freezer. I’m going to use it to make my bacon-wrapped Just Peachy Pork Tenderloin. It’s a WINNER! Click Dinner for more recipes your family will love.

On the side, I think I’ll make my Loaded Potato Casserole or Easy Twice Baked Potatoes. Both are the perfect side to whatever you’re roasting this weekend. So yummy! Plus, you can make them ahead. LOVE THAT!

Gotta toss up a salad too! My Sunny Spinach Salad is a taste of sunshine on a gray cloudy winter day. The light orange dressing makes this salad extra yummy. Click Salads and Sides for more super delicious side recipes.

It’s been a chilly week here in Wisconsin. I always try to make a pot of soup over the weekend so we can have it in the fridge and heat it up for lunch during the week. My Hungarian Sausage Soup is so good! So easy too. It’s full of flavor and something different. Soup's on in 30 minutes or less. YES!

Speaking of soup, my Mexican Meatball Soup is another fun one. And talk about easy! Just pick up a bag of frozen meatballs and you can throw this together in minutes. It’s healthy too! Click Soups and Stews for more quick easy recipes.

Casseroles and comfort food always make me happy! My Chicken Pot Pie on the Fly is my FAVE. It’s the easy way to make pot pie. Makes a nice big batch too. You gotta make this! Shred up a rotisserie chicken and making this dish will be even easier. Click Casseroles and Slow Cooker for more of my favorite winter recipes.

Got bananas that need using? My Blender Banana Bread is one of my most loved recipes. It really is amazing!

Or, use those bananas to make home homemade Banana Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting. Talk about a crazy good dessert! I’m dreaming of these. Might have to bake them up this weekend. Click Desserts for more sweat treats.

Looking for New Recipes? Order Amy's Cookbooks!

If you're stuck in a recipe rut, why not treat yourself or a loved one to new recipes? I have two cookbooks with lots of beautiful color pictures and each is filled with nearly 200 unique, delicious recipes. Click Amy's Books on Amazon to order.

LAST CHANCE! Join The Cooking Mom in Ireland in April 2022! Just a Couple Rooms Left!

I’m so excited to be hosting amazing vacations! Let’s meet new friends and travel together on these trips of a lifetime. Click to read Culinary Vacations with The Cooking Mom to find out what makes my trips so unique. Have you always dreamed of going to Ireland? This is your ABSOLUTE LAST CHANCE to join in the fun this spring! We just have a couple rooms left. We’ll fly direct from Chicago to Dublin. Hurry if you want to get in on this trip as time is running out. We’ll see and do it all. We’ll even stay in two real castles! Click Join The Cooking Mom in Ireland to read more. Don't wait! If you are interested, call Brittany TODAY at Bon Voyage Boutique Travel 920-725-2880 or email her at brittany@bonvoyagebt.com to make your reservation!

Make It the Best Summer EVER! Join The Cooking Mom on Mackinac Island in June 2022!

Last summer I hosted a group trip to one of my favorite places, beautiful Mackinac Island, Michigan. It was amazing! I LOVE this island. Have you ever been? If not you need to go! There’s no place like it! No cars. Gorgeous Victorian homes and Inns. It’s like you’ve stepped back in time! Join me this summer because I’m going back. We are staying at my favorite resort on the island. It’s fabulous! We’ve even added an extra night so there will be more time on this trip to sightsee, shop or just relax! This trip is already filling up. We can only take a limited number of people. Click Join The Cooking Mom on Mackinac Island to get all the details. We’ll be there in June during lilac season. It’s absolutely gorgeous that time of year! I hope you’ll join me.

JUST ONE ROOM LEFT! Join The Cooking Mom in Tuscany in September 2022!

If you are interested in joining me in Italy in fall 2022, now is your chance! This trip is going to be over the top amazing! From wine tastings, to truffle hunting, pasta making and finding the ultimate gelato. We’ll do it all! Plus, we’ll stay in a gorgeous Italian Villa resort! Read Join The Cooking Mom in Tuscany for details. The remaining room can accommodate 2 people. If you are interested call Brittany TODAY at Bon Voyage Boutique Travel 920-725-2880 or email her at brittany@bonvoyagebt.com to make your reservation!

Join Amy on a River Cruise in France in April 2023!

Have you ever dreamed of going on a river cruise? It’s the ULTIMATE way to see Europe! Bring on lots of wine tasting, gourmet meals, fresh croissants and pastries and so much more! Join me on a river cruise through Southern France from Burgundy to Provence. In April of 2023, we’ll cruise the Rhone river on a gorgeous new boutique ship with only 150 passengers! It’s first class all the way and it’s a true ALL-INCLUSIVE river cruise, meaning all your food, drinks, and excursions are included. Gratuity too!

Plus, you’ll have the option to stay a couple days after the cruise to experience Paris. It will be spring and the blossoms will be in full bloom. It’s going to be stunning! Click Join The Cooking Mom on a French River Cruise to get all the dates, pricing and intriguing details. This trip is going to be so wonderful! Join me! Plus, there are special discounts if you book now. Call Brittany at Bon Voyage Boutique Travel 920-725-2880.

Future Trips!

I recently got back from the most wonderful culinary trip to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. From taco tours to cooking classes and whale watching. It was incredible! Let me know if you want to go with me next January. I’m starting to plan now for more culinary vacations in 2023 and 2024. I want to know where you want to go. Email me the trips you’d be interested in at info@thecookingmom.com!

Gotta run! My TV spot on Fox 6 Wakeup in Milwaukee is coming up soon! I’m making one of my favorite Slow Cooker Recipes.

You can always see what I'm up to on Facebook and Instagram. Check out my videos on YouTube, too.

Have a great weekend and cook up some memories!

Take care,
Amy, The Cooking Mom