Archive for October, 2010

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November, here I come!

Sunday, October 31st, 2010

First, let’s talk about October.  I’ve never been a Halloween person.  And by that, I mean that I never went trick or treating.  I never really did the costume thing.  A couple times, we went to this fall festival, but Halloween just hasn’t been a big deal to me.  Like ever.  Which is interesting.  Because I attended UNC-CH, where Halloween is a HUGE deal.  … don’t know what that says about me.

This year, I’m not going to enjoy a crazy Halloween or anything of the sort.  But we did carve pumpkins Friday night.  See?

N&R's on the left; J&J's on the right

N&R's on the left; J&J's on the right

And then I did this to the pumpkin seeds.  Except, I added paprika and an extra cup of pumpkin seeds and subtracted sunflower seeds.  They’re tres spicy.  … not gonna’ lie.

So the plan for tonight is to make this, hand out candy to kiddos, and then go over to a friend’s for scary entertainment.  :)

But let’s talk about November.  What’s so special?  Well, let me tell you.  I have resolved to post every single day for the entire month of November.  You ready for this?!

Posted in Food Talk | 4 Comments »

Sneaky Vegetables

Thursday, October 28th, 2010

That’s what Nate called this dish.  It’s ’cause he hates peas.  He’s done what he can to make SJ hate them as well.  It worked at first, too, but SJ’s resilient.  :)

The problem with vegetables these days is that they’re rarely integrated into the meal.  I’m trying not to get to education-y on you, but integration means that the veggies (and the rest of the dish) taste better because of them.  We don’t do this, though.  We throw veggies on the side, if at all, as a healthy afterthought.  Not the worst thing in the world, but not really appealing to kids (or grown-ups), either.  The creaminess of this sauce, matched with the spiciness of the pepper and sausage, demands the peas and carrots which offer texture, sweetness, and amazing flavor… not to mention health.  Sneak those veggies in!

Photo by ME!

Photo by ME!

So how’d I do it?

  • 1/2 lb. italian sausage
  • 1 cup shredded carrots (you could probably got lighter, if you wanted)
  • red wine (optional)
  • 1 jar vodka sauce
  • black pepper
  • red pepper
  • 2 teaspoons “italian” seasoning
  • 1/2 cup frozen peas
  • 1/2 lb. penne pasta
  • cheese (LOTS of it!)

Brown the sausage.  Add the carrots, then the wine.  Let the wine evaporate as it simmers.  Add the vodka sauce and herbs and spices (go as spicy as you’re willing).  Simmer for a good little bit.  Right before it’s done, add the peas.

Cook the pasta.  You know what to do.

Combine the pasta and the sauce in a baking dish.  Top with oodles of cheese.  I wanted to use Fontina, but they were out at the store.  I opted for mozzarella and Parmesan instead.  Bake at 425 until the cheese is melted and starting to brown.

Posted in Italian, Meat, Pasta, Recipes, Veggies | 2 Comments »

Bringin Home the Bacon

Wednesday, October 27th, 2010

Let’s face it, when you’re bringin’ home the bacon, weeknight cooking isn’t the easiest thing in the world.  I can hear stay at home moms everywhere saying that it’s not easy regardless, but I’m not them, so I can’t say for sure.  But for me… an 8 hour day wears me out.  I don’t have the time or energy to put into making a real meal on a weeknight.  … but when you think about food as much as I do, good meals can’t always wait for the weekend.

So what’s a girl to do when she’s dreaming up grilled chicken with mango salsa?  Two things.  1) Talk your roommate into grilling the chicken.  Working inside and outside all at once is just not worth it.  Get some help!  2) Also, buy the mango canned.

The first is pretty self-explanatory.  If you don’t get it, I’m not explaining.

The second is a really important lesson.  Canned mango makes mango a feasible option for weeknights as it cuts out all the nasty pealing and pitting you have to do with fresh mango.  No, it does not taste as good.  How could it?  But it tastes delicious.  Trust me.

I like to put it on quesadillas, in salsas, etc.  See?

Photo by Nathan Clendenin

Photo by Nathan Clendenin

I promise you.  This meal couldn’t be easier.  Or more impressive if you were, say, trying to impress a boy you had over for dinner.  Hypothetically speaking.

The chicken was thrown into some store-bought marinade.  Then grilled half an hour later by the same Nathan Clendenin.  The beans?  Opened can, dumped in bowl, microwaved until warm.  The guacamole and mango salsa were essentially the same with a different base.  Avocados + red onion + jalepeno + cilantro + lime.  Mango + red onion + jalepeno + cilantro + lime.  Rice… dumped in rice cooker with chicken broth.  Delicious!

Posted in Gluten Free, Mexican, Poultry, Recipes, Rice, Grains, and Beans | 4 Comments »

The Emerald City

Saturday, October 23rd, 2010

… that’s where I am right now.  No, that’s not right.  The Emerald Town?  No… Emerald Isle, that’s where.  I feel like that was a very Shawn Spencer thing to say.  Sorry about that.

I’m not really ok with being internet-less.  We’re sitting in this adorable coffee shop, checking email, blogging, etc.  It’s nice.  Really, it is.  I’m drinking a Mexican spiced hot cocoa.  Mmm…

So who is we?  My little sister H and my friend E.  The three of us are hanging out my company’s beach cottage for the weekend.  We can stay there on the cheap.  It’s pretty awesome.  Not going to lie…

What’s on the agenda?  Good question.  Yesterday, Harkers Island and pan-fried trigger for dinner.  (Well done, E!)  Today?  Salt water taffy, wandering around town, general nothingness.

I’m a fan of this vacation stuff.  Seriously, I am.

Photo by E.

Photo by E.

We’re kind of not doing much of anything, and I’m digging it.  You should be here.  You really should.

Posted in Food Talk | 1 Comment »

And then… we processed together

Tuesday, October 19th, 2010

I got a food processor for my birthday.  That means that people love me.  You know it does.  Especially when I tell you that it’s this gorgeous thing.  Today, I’m taking hummus into work.  You know that means that even more people will love me.  You see the cycle here?

You should get a food processor.  Then people will love you too.  Also, you should make monkey muffins.  It’s easier if you have a food processor to help you with the bananas that you didn’t let over-ripen… because who does that anyway?

Be prepared folks.  For years, I was starting sentences with “if I had a food processor…”, and the coming days of this blog will include the end of that sentence.  Mmm… I’m hungry.

Posted in Food Talk | 3 Comments »

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