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Archive for December, 2009

31
Dec

Advice

I am always explaining to my daughters that more of anything is not always thet best thing.
More candy- no
More soda- no
More fries- no
Well I went to make this recipe and thought to myself maybe I should add another avocado to the mix. I thought it would add more creaminess- is that a word? Well my daughter walks by and says, mom should you add more? Here it was the daughter using the same adivce I gave her to test me….. Well I just thought- forget it. She was right I should have held back, but the crushed chicharrones covered my mistake- yes!!  Lesson learned. Enjoy!!

Rollo de Queso y Aguacate
William Sonoma
Savoring Mexico
1/2 lb (250g) cream cheese at room temperature
1 avocado preferably Haas
2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantrom
1 tbsp finely chopped white onion
1 serrano chile finely chopped
1/4 tsp fresh lime juice
sea salt to taste
2 cups crumbled chicharrones or 2 cups sesame seeds toasted
totopos or tortillas chips
Place the cream cheese between 2 sheets of parchment paper. Using a rolling pin, roll to form a rectangle about 6 inches by 8 inches and 1/2 inch thick. Remove the top sheet.
Cut the avocado in half, remove pit, and scoop the flesh into a bowl. Mash until it is rather smooth, leaving some chunks to add texture. Stir in the cilantro, onion, chile, lime juice and salt. Spread the avocado mixture evenly over the cream cheese. Using the bottom sheet of paper, roll up the cream cheese to form a log.
Coat the roll completely with the crushed chicharrones or seeds. cover lightly with plastic and chill in fridge for 15 minutes before serving. The roll can be made in advanced for 6-8 hours then set out at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.
Unwrap the roll and place on a serving platter or tray. Serve with totopos or crackers. 

  

31
Dec

Pickled Love

When my hubby was deployed I used to stay up very late at night and watch horrible t.v. My little sis had come to stay with me providing much need company in those horrible months. One night we stayed up watching foodnetwork very late and caught a rerun of a cooking show featuring Lisa Loeb and Dweezil Zappa. I know?? After we got over the inital shock that they were cookng, I watched them make a recipe for fried pickled jalapenos. I’ve eaten these before in different variations, fried, wrapped in bacon or stuffed with cheese. The funny thing is when we were watching the show my little sis says “Wow Roy would love those, you should make them for him when he comes back.” I made them for him when he got home, and she was right, he loved them. The last time I made them it was my daughter’s bday party and my little sis’s hubby was with us the first time, he grabbed one -ate it and said “wow I like these,” I laughed a little inside knowing she didn’t remember she had herself suggested me to make them for my hubby. I think at the time she was just trying to get me through that deployment. So every year I make them just for him, today I  am making them to celebrate the New Year, to remember how lucky I am to have him in my life and to remember how lucky I am to have a great sis. Enjoy!! 

Fried Pickled Jalapenos
by JWJohnson
Dweezil & Lisa
I cup grated Monterey Jack cheese
1 cup grated extra-sharp yellow cheddar
16 oz can whole pickled jalapenos
2 cups buttermilk
2-3 cups all purpose flour, seasoned with salt and pepper
canola or peanut oil for frying
serving suggestion- sour cream and shredded lettuce
Combine the cheeses in a small bowl. Using a paring knife, make an incision the length of each jalapeno (don’t cut the peppers in half). Remove the seeds then carefully fill each pepper with cheese. Dip the stuffed peppers in buttermilk then roll them in flour.( If you want a thcker crust, repeat the process.) Fill a large frying pan with about 3 inches of oil and heat over medium- heat until a thermomenter registers a temp of 350 degrees. (The oil temperature can also be tested by dripping a little water into the oil. If the oil sizzles immediately, the oil is hot enough.)
Working in batches, fry the peppers, turning them once or twice, until they are crisp and golden. Drain the peppers on paper toweld. Let them cool for about 10 minutes then serve them on a bed of shredded lettuce topped with sour cream.
**I made my own mix of sour cream, with lemon juice and hot sauce to thin it out. 
31
Dec

Bellini Bar

Bellini bar, ya great quick set up for a New Year’s Party. Giada featured this for a wedding shower, but I quickly thought New Year’s Eve. We feature a bellini bar every year and everyone enjoys the option to choose their own flavor. Little sis loves peach, older sis loves blueberry. I enjoy them all. Have fun tonight, but please be safe! Enjoy!!

Bellini Bar
Giada De Laurentiis
Everyday Italian
2 cups of sugar
1 cup of water
16 oz frozen peaches thawed
1 tsp grated orange peel
16 oz frozen strawberries thawed
16 oz frozen blueberries or blackberries thawed
4-6 (750ml) bottles Prosecco or other sparkling wine, chilled
Fresh strawberries, blueberries or blackberries for garnish
orange peel twist for garnsih
Stir the sugar and water in a large saucepan over medium heat until sugar dissolves, about 5 minutes. Cool completely.
Puree the peaches and the orange peel in a blender with 1/2 cup of the sugar syrup until smooth. Strain with a fine mesh strainer into a bowl, cover and refrigerate. In a clean blender, blend the strawberries with 1/3 cup sugar syrup until smooth. Strain - discard the seeds and refrigerate. Repeat with blueberries or blackberries using 1/3 cup of sugar syrup, and pass through fine mesh then referigerate. Pour into small pitchers.
For each serving pour 2-4 tbsp of desired fruit puree into a champagne flute. Slowly pour enough prosecco into the flute to fill.  Gently stir to blend. Garnish with whole berries and peel. Serve.
Purees can be made a day ahead just keep covered and in the fridge.
31
Dec

12 Grapes

Every New Year’s Eve our family- at the stroke of midnight quickly eats 12 grapes, each grape representing each month of the year. As you eat each grape you make a wish for the upcoming year. Have a Happy New Year’s and may all your wishes come true!! Love Sweet Life  

29
Dec

Little Wolves

Well I overslept today, I really hate it when this happens- it throws my whole day off. I quickly got dressed and went to tackle the 800 loads of laundry that were quietly waiting for me. As I began my task of sorting I felt a piercing sensation,  I turned to look and there they were,  looking at me like starved little wolves. They gave me the please feed us eyes. Okay I needed to feed these savages quickly, so I threw these chalupas together. Let’s begin. 
Start with tostadas, these can be found in the bread aisle, next to the flour tortillas. If your store does not carry these simply fry corn tortillas until crisp. They look lonely don’t they? Let’s give them delicious company.
Slather them with refried beans, trust me they’ll thank you. See the steam, yummy! Make your own or use canned.  Next…
Loosely cover those beans with scrambled eggs. Cheese would also be a nice addition.

Sprinkle chopped bacon over the eggs, I used turkey bacon…

Looking goood.. it needs heat.
Add pico de gallo and your ready. Enjoy!!
28
Dec

Two Items

Last week I went to the grocery store to simply pick up two items- cabbage and garlic quick trip you would think right?? Not for me- I came out with a basket full of groceries, I never understand how this happens but, was pleasantly happy when I tried this wine later on in the evening while watching my fav basketball team play. Yes, I drink wine while watching basketball— it calms me especially when they miss every shot!!!UGH!! I enjoy many types of wines, but have a soft spot for sweet wines as an after dinner treat. On their website they suggest serving this wine chilled or over ice. I popped my bottle in the fridge before making dinner and found it very refreshing. A nice after dinner wine for under ten bucks and produced here locally in Texas- great deal. Enjoy!

Here is their website

http://www.wimberleyvalleywines.myshopify.com/

24
Dec

Holiday Must Have

There are things for me that naturally come each December
It’s a Wonderful Life—Ahh  James Stewart
Christmas Cookies- no surprise
Holiday music- Oh I love it, even makes my piles of laundry bearable
Wrapping presents at the last moment- Seriously happens every year and I enjoy the stress it brings me- ya I’m weird.
Hot cocoa and marshmallows- one cannot be served without the other
Soft little pillows floating in a warm liquid of chocolate not only get my girls excited, hubby and I anxiously await this concotion every year. The marshmallow  recipe is always the same, from Martha and ever so easy-I was afraid at first thinking I would completely make a mess of the recipe and ruin Christmas. Yes it’s that serious,  they were a cinch to make and are a must every year. Others add choclate, swirl them or make them into perfectly precious shapes- not me I make them thick and square just big enough to cover the entire surface of steaming cocoa. With each sip your nose is slightly tickled by the softness of the slowly melting marhmellow— a cup of holiday cheer. The cocoa recipe changes every year why?? Not sure, but it is fun to mix different chocoates. This year I ran across a recipe that you simply add everything into a crockpot- set on low and walk away. Do you have holiday must haves? I hope you do, because this time of year is meant for slowing down with family and enjoying new memories being made. Enjoy!!

Homemade Marshmallows
Martha Stewart
makes 2 dozen
vegetable oil for baking dish
1 1/2 cups cold water
4 envelopes unflavored gelatin
3 cups granulated sugar
1 1/4 cups light corn syrup
1/4 tsp salt
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 cup confectioners sugar
Brush a 9by 13 inch Pryex baking dish with vegetable oil. Set aside.
Pour 3/4 cup water in the bowl of an electric mixer, and sprinkle with gelatin; let stand until softened, about 5 minutes.
Place the granulated sugar, corn syrup, salt, and remaining 3/4 cup water in a medium saucepan; bring to a boil over high heat. Clip a candy thermometer to side of pan; cook until mixture reaches the soft- ball stage, 238 degrees. Remove from heat.
With mixer on low speed, using whisk attachment, carefully add hot syrup to gelatin mixture, pouring it down side of bowl to prevent spattering. Gradually increase speed to high; continue beating until mixture is cool and stiff peaks form, about 30 minutes. Beat in the vanilla.
Pour mixture into prepared baking dish; smooth top with an offset spatula. Let stand, uncovered, at room temperature until firm, at least 3 hours or overnight.
Sift 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar onto a clean work surface. Invert baking dish onto sugar, and lift to remove. Lightly brush a sharp knife with oil, and cut marshmallows into 2 inch squares. Sift remaining 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar into a bowl, and roll marshmallows in sugar to coat evenly.
Snow- Cocoa
by Gooseberry Patch
Christmas Book 7
2 cups whipping cream
6 cups milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
12 oz pkg. white chocolate chips
Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker.
Heat on low for 2 to 2 1/2 hours or until chocolate is melted and mixture is hot.
Stir well to blend.
Serves 10
I have officially quit my holiday wish list- why?? because I want something different every day— oh well.
22
Dec

Wet Tacos

I have a niece who is the cutest mini me version of her dad.  All my nieces and nephews are adorable, but this is her story. Getting back to the story, my niece Naty is alot like me- we both like what we like and no one is going to persuade us otherwise. When Naty was about two she was introduced to soft tacos filled with various fillings, her mom makes ground beef, momo makes them simply with cheese or potatoes, and I make them with chicken. Well Naty became infatuted with these taco and she begin referring to them as ”wet tacos”, as in her eyes they were slightly soggy from being passed through oil. Well each day she would ask her mommy, “are you going to make wet tacos?” Her mom being the awesome little thing she is would say, ”I’ll make them for you tomorrow”, and Naty would be happy. Long story short they ate wet tacos often that year, until Naty had enough and moved on to her next obsession—Chicken and cheese enchiladas. Too funny, Love ya Naty!!  

These tacos can be easily made on a busy weeknight, filling with any leftover meat and adding your favorite toppings. I simply made mine with roasted chicken, but added a little crunch with finely chopped cabbage dressed with lemon juice. Easy meal with instant satisfaction, just ask Naty. Enjoy!!        

      

11
Dec

The Smell of Christmas

Do you remember when you were little during the holiday season- the house had a different vibe to it. My house was always full of energy, excitement and wonderful smells. The smell of tamales, pan de polvo, and hot chocolate. I used to get so excited when Christmas rolled around and momo was always in the kitchen working on something, making something or trying out something new. She always tried to make the hoildays special for us and I think that’s where we get our inspiration from each year. I ran across this recipe and quickly knew it would be a hit, early in the morning with that first cup of coffee. I was pleasantly surprised when the smell from the oven overtook the entire house, I was instantly little again and quickly called momo. Enjoy!!                

Christmas Eggnog Bread
My HEB Texas Life
December Issue
prep 15 minutes

1 cup brown sugar
1 large egg
1/4 cup melted butter or 1/4 cup light oilve oil
1 1/2 cup eggnog
1 tsp vanilla
3 cups all purpose flour
1 tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
2/3 cup pecan pieces
1 cup dried cranberries
2 loaf pans- 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 x 3

Beat sugar and egg in mixing bowl. Beat in melted butter and add eggnog and extract. Mix
Sift flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg over the eggnog mixture. stir until moistened. Mix in nuts and fruit.
Turn into greased (2) loaf pans. Bake at 350 for about 1 hour until an inserted wooden pick comes out clean. Let stand 20minutes. Turn out onto rack to cool.
Serves 10

What’s on your Christmas wish list??? Today— I really want a new set of everyday dishes, nothing fancy just something we can use daily that’s lives up to our rough household.

9
Dec

Christmas Cuteness

I recently went to Kmart to look for a set of glass ornaments, and I found these cute ornaments from Martha Stewart. Leave it to Martha to make something we use on a daily basis, look so darn cute. My favorite is the whisk, oh man too cute. These are from her Festive Confections line at Kmart. I of course bought them all and put them on a little tree in my kitchen. Love it!! Have a nice day!!

What’s on your Christmas wish list??? Today— I want gift card from Amazon, I have TONS of cookbooks on my wish list!!!

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