My Little Protégée!!!

I was at the bank recently opening a new checking account (new year, new bank, new stuff.....) and as one of the security measures the bank takes you must pick a "keysite" for the access to your online account.  It's just a picture and they are large variety to choose from.  I pick a photo of a bunch of tomatoes! I told the woman at the bank that I picked this because I like to cook.  She then asked me if I was "a good cook".  My response was that "I've been told that I am."  To which she said "then you are a good cook."  I do know this I enjoy cooking and especially cooking for others.  I gives me such great satisfaction to prepare meals for others and watch them as the devour it and hopefully are satisfied by it. 

That being said let me introduce you to someone who proudly professes to be a "good cook!"  This is Julia and she reminds me of what a great cook she is every time we are in the kitchen creating some sort of fantastic dish.  Even yesterday when we were working together to create a wonderful tuna salad for grampa for his sandwiches she reminded me as she sprinkled in the thyme "I'm a good cook." 

More on WHAT we are creating here later!!

I will say this for her - she is not afraid to get her hands dirty.  She is willing to get right in there and work at making a wonderful meal.  Now if I could just get her to try eating them!!

Do you have someone who watches and mimics you?  One of the best ways to keep ourselves in check is to remind ourselves that little eyes are watching!! And this one has eagle eyes when it comes to watching me!!

Candied Jalapenos!!!

Sorry about the delay in posting anything - I was away on vaca in AZ!!!  Arizona is so beautiful this time of year especially since at home on the east coast they had snow while I was enjoying 80 and 90 degree weather!!  Every time I go to AZ now I always bring home fresh tortillas - we pick them up while they are still warm from the store.  They are fantastic and make for a great meal each time.  This time I not only brought home fresh tortillas but also jalapenos - 3 lbs. that is!!!  I had read on The Pioneer Woman's blog about Candied Jalapenos (Cowboy Candy) and knew I had to try it. You start with 3 lbs. of fresh jalapenos.  I should have taken a pic of the peppers before I sliced them.  They were bright green, firm and large - nothing like what we get around here!  I sliced them all and put them in a bowl to begin the canning.

Yup - seeds and all!!

Next you cook them with sugar, vinegar, turmeric, garlic, celery seed and cayenne pepper.  Only 4 minutes!!!

The smell was incredible

Next they go into the lovely little canning jars.  I must admit that I did sneak a lick off the spoon when it was all said and done.  The syrup is sweet and hot - very weird but deliciousness!!!

 After they are in the jars you boil the syrup a little longer then pour the syrup in the jars and process the jars in boiling water for about 10 minutes.  I ended up with 14 jars of peppers and 1 jar of syrup.  The syrup I'll use on some mexican chicken or maybe add to a mexican tortilla soup!!!

A pyramid of sweet and hot!!

I think next time I will probably cram a few more peppers into each jar but all in all there are plenty of peppers in each jar.  Some of you can look forward to getting these little babies in your Christmas baskets this year!! Here's the recipe just in case you would like to give them a shot yourself.  http://tastykitchen.com/recipes/canning/candied-jalapenos-cowboy-candy/

And There's More Bread!!!

The bread just doesn't seem to end.  I'm using up the bread as best I can and as quickly as I can.  I made wonderful French Toast on Sunday morning.  Bryan was thrilled.  I made a few extras for him to eat while I'm away (oh yea - I'm headed to AZ on Wednesday)!!  Not that I'm thrilled or anything - tee hee!  Sunday afternoon I took the ciabatta loaf and made one HUGE sub and cut it up for us to eat while watching football.  Here are couple pics for you to enjoy!!

Although I will admit that I should have probably made this the very day I got the bread it was still delicious.  It was loaded with black forest ham, capicola, salami, bologna and provolone and american cheeses with lettuce, tomato, onions and pickles.  It made for a wonderful meal while watching the games Sunday afternoon. 

Bread and Butter

I recently purchased another deal on Groupon.  If you're not getting in on these deals you really should join (this is not a paid advertisement). I've found some really incredible things on there and this little gem was a wonderful find.  I live in Plymouth, MA which is a pretty big town, area-wise that is.  One of the cool things about living here is that just when you think you know the area you find something new!  A few weeks ago Groupon was offering a deal for 6 loaves of bread from a local bakery a $30 value for $15.  I was hooked because lets face it I love bread!!! You do don't ya?

We have plenty of bakeries in Plymouth but this one was in a location that I would have never guessed.  It's in the industrial park!  The bakery is called Hearth Wood Fire Bakery - here's a link www.hearthwfb.com.  Apparently they do baking for some local and area restaurants and stores.  If you're in this area you must check it out.

So back to my point here!  I walked in with my little Groupon printout and the gentleman baker showed me the wonderful loaves I could choose from.  I got 3 french, 1 rye raisin (this one's for the hubby), 1 ciabatta and one rosemary.  The loaves are enormous and I can't wait to dig into them.  Here's a pic so you can see for yourself.  There is no skimping in this place!!

Last night we had Roast Beef Sandwiches with Au Jus on the french loaves!! Sounds so fancy but it's really not - the beef cooked all day in the crockpot getting all those flavors married into it and becoming tender and juicy.........focus! focus!

Here's the recipe for this little gem too!  http://www.food.com/recipe/crock-pot-roast-beef-au-jus-sandwiches-332615  I toasted the bread too.  It helps to keep the bread from getting to soaky!! Yum! O and next time I will definitely add a slice of provolone!

Oooo and the other things I have planned for this bread - I'm thinking French Toast, Onion Soup, maybe some croutons or maybe just a late night snack with some homemade jam!!! If any one needs some bread just give me a call - I have plenty!!

Pasta with ?? Sauce

I've been reading a few blogs over the past few days looking for something different to have for dinner.  If you know me I rarely make the same thing twice - much to my husband's chagrin!!  This week at Shaw's they had some blocks pecorino romano cheese on sale and a coupon attached discounted it by an additional $2.  I bought two and figured I would find something to do with them.  Tonight I gave it shot.  This was the result!!  Excuse the photo I just have a little digital camera for now - hopefully I'll graduate to the real thing some day!!

See all the cheese in there!!!

This is the recipe I created:

13 oz whole wheat spaghetti
6 tbsp butter (I know - not necessarily healthy but it tastes delicious)
1/2 red onion, sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 sherry or white wine of your choice
1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes, sliced in half
1/2 lb pecorino romano cheese, grated
Olive oil
Salt & pepper

Cook the pasta according to package directions - make sure its a little al dente!! If the pasta is done before the sauce, after you drain the pasta sprinkle a little olive oil on it and toss to keep it from sticking together.  In a large pan melt the butter, add the onion and cook until the onions start to caramelize (turn brown).  Add the garlic, salt and pepper and continue to cook for a minute or 2.  Pour in the sherry/white wine and simmer for another minute or 2.  Add the tomatoes - simmer for a minute.  Remove from the heat and toss in the pasta.  If the pasta seems dry add a bit more olive oil and toss.  Sprinkle in the cheese and toss so the cheese is evenly distributed throughout the dish.  Reserve a little bit of cheese to put on the top of each bowl.  Taste and add salt and pepper if needed.

The taste wasn't bad but I don't know what to call it.  Any suggestions?  I also think the next time I will add some greenery - needs some spinach, broccoli rabe, capers!!! Maybe even some pine nuts for a bit of a crunch.  The possibilities are endless.

Bacon! Bacon! Bacon!

Oops sorry - focus Theresa!!  What are you creating in your kitchen? Let me know.

Weekend Wrap-Up

Louise and I headed to the Cape around 11:30 a.m. on Saturday.  I wasn't so sure it was going to be a comfortable weekend because of the mugginess but once you drove over the bridge the weather seemed to change.  Don't get me wrong it was muggy but not nearly as bad as at home.  What a difference it makes just going over the bridge!!  We took a nice leisurely drive to Dennisport and, in true girl fashion, we chatted the whole ride.  Once we got to the house in Dennisport we went inside the house and opened up all the windows and doors.  It's like being in another world there - so quite, so calming, no hussle and bussle.  I soooo needed this.  We then quickly got started on prep work which took all of about 45 minutes - Louise had already decorated the place with fall colors and scented candles.  Next, more chatting with Louise - hope I didn't tire her out but I really enjoyed our time alone!!

The girls arrived and we got started right away on dinner! I happened upon a couple of recipes which included bourbon - not that I'm a bourbon person or drinker but I thought we could give it shot - huh no pun intend!!!  First up with the spinach salad with Bourbon Brown Sugar Dressing.

Here's the recipe:

Bourbon Brown Sugar Salad Dressing (for Spinach Salad)

Recipe By :Bima Restaurant, Portland, Oregon
Serving Size : 0 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Restaurant Salads and Salad
Dressings

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
5 tablespoons firmly packed brown sugar -- plus
1 teaspoon firmly packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons molasses -- plus
2 teaspoons molasses
1 tablespoon bourbon
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1 cup olive oil
salt

In a small bowl or the bowl of a food processor or blender, mix together
the brown sugar, molasses, bourbon and balsamic vinegar. Slow whisk in
the olive oil.

(If using a food processor or blender, slowly pour the olive oil into the
vinegar mixture with the machine running.) The dressing should be dark
brown and thick. Taste and add salt as needed, Chill and serve over a
salad of spinach leaves, mushrooms, red onion and blue cheese.

Source:
" Oregonian FoodDay, April 2, 1996 "
Yield:
" 1 1/2 cups "

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Per serving: 2375 Calories (kcal); 216g Total Fat; (81% calories from fat);
0g Protein; 113g Carbohydrate; 0mg Cholesterol; 50mg Sodium
Food Exchanges: 0 Grain(Starch); 0 Lean Meat; 0 Vegetable; 1/2 Fruit; 43
Fat; 7 Other Carbohydrates



I have to tell you I really liked it.  Next time I think I'd thin the dressing a little with more olive oil but it was really good and the blue cheese provided a nice contract to the sweetness of the dressing.

For dinner was Bourbon Pecan Chicken! This was so delicious.  It was really easy and the sauce was excellent.  I highly recommend serving this dish to family or guests.  I served it with plain white rice and stemmed fresh broccoli.  I kept the sides simple so as to not take away from the main focus of the dish - The Chicken!!

The recipe for the chicken came from Allrecipes.com.  Here's the link:  http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Bourbon-Pecan-Chicken/Detail.aspx?prop24=etaf and you can recalculate the recipe for as little as two people!!

Dessert was made compliments of Louise.  It was a perfect accompaniment to the dinner (and we didn't even coordinate).  It had an Oreo cookie and butter base (everything taste good with butter - I'm just saying) and the middle was made with Cool Whip, sweetened condensed milk and strawberries.  The outside of it is "frosted" with Cool Whip too!! You'll have to get the recipe for this from Louise though.

The rest of evening was spent playing games (Apples to Apples and Taboo).  We laughed so hard at times. 

In the morning was a wonderful breakfast provided by Brenda.  They are called Dutch Pancakes and OMGoodness they are delicious.  If you have any sense of reason you WILL try these.  They seemed easy enough to make and the taste was just wonderful.

Anything with chocolate is wonderful

Chelsea covered her's with maple syrup and nuts!

So that covers the meals and some of the fun.  I have to start planning the next party - any suggestions?  I love your feedback.  Will keep you posted on my life as a Guinea Pig!!

And, of course a special thank you goes out to Louise for allowing us to stay at her place!  What a wonderful hostess!!

Thank you my dear!

Breakfast for Dinner?

So I've long been a fan of breakfast - to be honest I LOVE BREAKFAST!! One problem I don't like mornings. Breakfast for me usually doesn't start until around 10 am (by this time I've had 2 cups of java and a shower - starting to feel alive). But then I remembered! My mom would make breakfast for dinner when we were kids - it was fabulous! This is like the most exhilarating idea for those of us sleepy heads that just can't seem to get our act together to eat breakfast at breakfast time.

Now that I've reasoned the idea of having breakfast for dinner the problem is that the hubby doesn't like breakfast for dinner. He thinks breakfast is just for breakfast. I'm not sure that I will be able to convince him that breakfast is versatile and can be eaten anytime of the day. For goodness sake the diners serve breakfast ALL DAY. They obviously are onboard with this idea. So tonight it's breakfast for dinner - homefries, fried egg and yes corned beef (leftover from Sunday) and I went all the way and even had orange juice to drink!!! It was delicious! So when the hubby says what's for dinner - BREAKFAST and it's great!!

Do you like breakfast for dinner? Let me know.