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Hello! My name is Tiffany Moen, and I’m a resident of Cumming, Georgia, along with my husband Eric and our eight children. They’re all teenagers to young adults now, so life is “easy” compared to having eight children under twelve years of age. We adopted five of our children, so we’re used to nonstop activity (and drama, as four of them are girls). Last November, Eric lost his job, and in January I asked God to show me a way to create income, using the gifts and talents He had given me. Within a few days, the idea of a cookbook came about, and I took off running with it. By the end of April, when we were ready to move back to Georgia from Florida with Eric’s new job, I had submitted the manuscript to BQB Publishing. Creating the cookbook was a whirlwind—one that I’m so thankful for, because it kept me sane while Eric was unemployed. We’ve named it The Missing Ingredient because many of my recipes and learning experiences came from not having one or two ingredients in a recipe, and having to creatively replace and make something new. Because my adopted children come from Asian and Hispanic backgrounds, I’ve incorporated ingredients that give my recipes a touch of their ethnic heritages.

I’m sharing with you my “must have ingredients,” for making off-the-cuff recipes or for making old ones have a new flair.

Tiffany’s Must-Have Ingredients for Cooking

Olive oil                                                        Italian seasoning

Worcestershire sauce                                     Prepared mustard

Soy sauce                                                     Garlic (fresh or minced in a jar)

Sweet chili sauce                                           White wine

Red curry paste                                             Tabasco sauce

Fresh lemon or lime                                       Capers

Yellow and green onions

The following is a great last-minute way to throw together a fabulous main dish. No matter what kind of meat you have on hand (unless it’s a beef cut that would be too tough without extensive cooking time), you can whip up a last-minute dish of deliciousness with some or all of these ingredients. I purposefully am not exact in the ingredient measurements for this recipe. My goal is to have you throw together a meal that can be different each time, depending on how much of each you want to add.

Tiffany’s Non-Fail Easy and Delicious Dinner Entrée

Brown the meat you happen to have in your refrigerator (boneless, skinless chicken breasts or pork chops are particularly yummy), in 1 to 2 T. olive oil. As the second side is browning, liberally sprinkle the meat with Italian seasoning (or any other dried herb you have). When the second side is browned, flip the meat over, and pour white wine liberally over each piece. Sprinkle with Worcestershire sauce. Take prepared mustard (whichever you have in your fridge) and spread some on the meat (about ½ to 1 T. per piece), and then sprinkle with herbs. Put one to two spoons of minced garlic in the pan, reduce heat, and simmer for 10 minutes, covered. Turn the meat over, and continue to simmer at least 20 minutes, until very tender.

**Other ingredients I keep on hand to change up the recipe: soy sauce, green onions, capers, lemon or lime juice, Tabasco sauce, sweet chili sauce, and red curry paste. Each addition gives your dinner a different flair. Try adding baby carrots too!

Check out my website, tiffanymoen.com, to learn more about my book and be sure to order The Missing Ingredient in November, it will make the perfect Christmas gift. Enjoy!