tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76250356627842171862024-03-13T16:26:36.410-04:00finding my inner foodiekatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15963693909009998389noreply@blogger.comBlogger126125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7625035662784217186.post-25966625545085764052009-12-17T20:11:00.005-05:002009-12-22T13:21:59.031-05:00Ho, Ho, HO it's a Belgium Christmas<span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#660000;">Erin and I decided to celebrate Christmas a bit early at our new favorite bar: </span><a href="http://armsbyabbey.com/"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#330099;">Armsby Abbey</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#660000;">.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#660000;">We recently went to brunch there and when we paid our bills we were given a flyer for their </span><a href="http://armsbyabbey.com/2009/11/its-a-belgian-christmas-1216/"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#660000;"><span style="color:#ff0000;">Christmas</span><span style="color:#009900;"> Celebration</span></span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#660000;">! They replace all of their taps with Christmas inspired brews. </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#660000;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416379517367589570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SyrYeU1lmsI/AAAAAAAAA0c/vP9gYIYe9eU/s200/Digital+008.jpg" border="0" /></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#660000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#660000;">Sign.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#660000;">us.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#660000;">up!</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#660000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#660000;">So here's what we gulped:</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#660000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#660000;">My 1st was: <a href="http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/218/14695">De Koninck Winter</a>, Belguim Strong Pale</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#660000;"> - Cider-like aromas of Sweet apple, caramel, toffee, nuts and spice. </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#660000;"> (I really liked this one! i think my favorite)</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#660000;">Erin's 1st: <a href="http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/7944/39625">Reindeers Revolt </a>(i think she picked it because of the name!), English Strong Ale</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#660000;"> - Buttery malts dominate the aroma with some butterscotch, cinnamon, caramel<br /> and a bit of dough </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#660000;">my 2nd: <a href="http://berkshirebrewingcompany.com/home.html">Holidale (nitro) Berkshire Brewing</a>, American Barley Wine</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#660000;"> - Sweet, spicy and fruity</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#660000;"> I picked this one because erin's sister works at Berkshire breweries </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#660000;"> AND wine..come on!</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#660000;">Erin's 2nd: <a href="http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/1534/7286">Gouden Carolus Noel</a>, Belgian Strong Dark</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#660000;"> - great aromas of chocolate, spice, vanilla and citrus orange.<br /> The epitome of what Christmas beer should be (they actually said that :)</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#660000;"> Erin said that this tasted just like root beer! odd. they had great glasses too!</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#660000;"> </span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SyrX_ay0Y1I/AAAAAAAAA0U/Gq98NTEKWB4/s1600-h/Digital+006.jpg"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#660000;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416378986390643538" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SyrX_ay0Y1I/AAAAAAAAA0U/Gq98NTEKWB4/s200/Digital+006.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><br /><br /><br /></span><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#660000;"> We also sampled one of their amazing "slates". This one had: sweet potato hummus, pita, bread, blanched almonds, olives, a chipotle dip and pancetta...perfect nice. perfect food. perfect brew.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416378355850793170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SyrXat2Z0NI/AAAAAAAAA0M/uF68-uRCBZY/s200/Digital+001.jpg" border="0" /></span> <div></div></div>katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15963693909009998389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7625035662784217186.post-27082488309493680502009-12-16T12:48:00.005-05:002009-12-22T12:53:53.860-05:00Home for the Holiday's with Tom and Jerry's<span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#006600;">How is it that I grew up in Watertown and have never tasted a Tom and Jerry's??? I blame my parents for not introducing me to them, mainly my dad as I soon found out that my sister monica has </span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SyrZUtz25GI/AAAAAAAAA0s/NSvd56epEh0/s1600-h/Digital+034.jpg"><span style="color:#006600;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416380451784156258" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SyrZUtz25GI/AAAAAAAAA0s/NSvd56epEh0/s200/Digital+034.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#006600;">been introduced numerous times...let's just say Santa has alot to make up for haha!</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#006600;">Needless to say both erin and I were introduced to these fine fellows on our recent trip to Watertown. and boy oh boy are they tasty. </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#006600;">Now I wish this could be a post where i describe how you to can create this wonderful christmasy drink on your own...but its a family secret! Only to be sampled at </span><a href="http://thecrystalrestaurant.com/pages/1/index.htm"><span style="color:#cc0000;">The Crystal Restaurant</span></a><span style="color:#006600;">.</span></span><br /><span style="color:#006600;"></span><br /><span style="color:#006600;"></span><br /><span style="color:#006600;"></span><br /><span style="color:#006600;"></span><br /><span style="color:#006600;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416380060525978738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SyrY98Qo5HI/AAAAAAAAA0k/d3ibAlNsYbE/s200/Digital+035.jpg" border="0" /></span><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SyrZsc-hoDI/AAAAAAAAA00/upWz6YmkN4M/s1600-h/Digital+032.jpg"><span style="color:#006600;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416380859582357554" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SyrZsc-hoDI/AAAAAAAAA00/upWz6YmkN4M/s200/Digital+032.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#006600;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#006600;">Now after some googling I learned that </span><a href="http://www.gourmetsleuth.com/tomandjerrybatter.htm"><span style="color:#000000;">Tom and Jerry's </span></a><span style="color:#006600;">are an actual drink with an actual history, but like most traditions each maker has their own additions that are impossible to replicate...this is true of the Crystal too!</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;color:#006600;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;color:#006600;">So good luck, but if you want to try the real deal...head down to Watertown's Square :). Thanks Mom and Dad!</span><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SyraEixPGrI/AAAAAAAAA08/K0z4bHbPZDQ/s1600-h/Digital+026.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416381273454090930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SyraEixPGrI/AAAAAAAAA08/K0z4bHbPZDQ/s200/Digital+026.jpg" border="0" /></a>katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15963693909009998389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7625035662784217186.post-19597597660990296342009-12-07T13:31:00.024-05:002009-12-21T14:29:25.684-05:00Christmas Cookies, Carols and Cheer<span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;">What would the holiday's be without cookies? no holiday at all if you ask me! </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;">My friend Molly just bought a new house and her kitchen is the perfect setting for the baking extravaganza we decided to attempt last weekend. Molly and I emailed a bunch of cookie ideas back and forth and decided to be lofty and try to bake six different cookies in one day...we succeeded! </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;">Our lofty list included:</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;">-</span><a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/No-Bakes/Detail.aspx"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#330000;">No bakes</span></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;">-</span><a href="http://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/peanut-blossoms-recipe"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#000000;">Peanut butter blossoms </span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;">(aka the cookies with the Hershey kiss!)</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;">-</span><a href="http://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/holiday-butter-cookies-recipe"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc33cc;">sugar cookies </span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;">(roll out cookies)</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;">-</span><a href="http://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/gingerbread-cookies-recipe"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#663300;">gingerbread men</span></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;">-</span><a href="http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/fig_flax_thumbprints.html"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#006600;">Fig 'n' Flax thumbprint </span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;">(Eatingwell's 2009 cookie winner)</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;">-<a href="http://www.myrecipes.com/recipes/holidays/calendar/0,30311,1848222_1850406,00.html?viewdate=12_04_2009&iid=edit-cc-120409&PromKey=XET"><span style="color:#ffff66;">Lemon Coconut Snowballs</span></a></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;">Now if you click above three of these are from the </span><a href="http://www.kingarthurflour.com/"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;">KAF</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;"> cookbook! great tool and of course baking with Molly King Arthur was the star of the day. We used KAF in all of our recipes. Molly really thinks it makes a difference in the quality of the cookie!</span><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SyOclcsI_MI/AAAAAAAAAyE/mn9EevUXiak/s1600-h/cookie.jpg"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414343344199892162" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SyOclcsI_MI/AAAAAAAAAyE/mn9EevUXiak/s200/cookie.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;">We started the night before by cranking out the no bakes. </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;">they are super simple and take all of five mins. Since these need to sit we thought they would be perfect to do the night before.</span><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SyOcC1vq0JI/AAAAAAAAAx8/1lf1YlskDwI/s1600-h/cookie2.jpg"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414342749630156946" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SyOcC1vq0JI/AAAAAAAAAx8/1lf1YlskDwI/s200/cookie2.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;"> </span><br /><p><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;"> The next morning Molly and I were ready to begin. We decided to start with the Peanut butter blossoms.</span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SyOdiTKQ85I/AAAAAAAAAyM/gGbFvMMHJgA/s1600-h/cookie5.jpg"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414344389613908882" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SyOdiTKQ85I/AAAAAAAAAyM/gGbFvMMHJgA/s200/cookie5.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;"> We got all the ingredients ready and started in. Molly has a great mixer so it made baking alot more efficient and fun! </span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;"></span> </p><p><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SyOeHGA1N1I/AAAAAAAAAyU/sRFBPyrXUqU/s1600-h/Digital+037.jpg"><span style="color:#cc0000;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414345021739841362" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SyOeHGA1N1I/AAAAAAAAAyU/sRFBPyrXUqU/s200/Digital+037.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#cc0000;">I mixed and molly unwrapped kisses. She did a great job of "kissing" each cookie. We also opted to add a little snow to each one to make them more festive!</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;"></span> </p><p><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;"></span> </p><p><span style="color:#cc0000;"></span> </p><p><span style="font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;">Next up were the roll out because we knew those would take awhile to cut and bake. Thankfully Molly is a pro, and actually enjoys rolling and cutting...so she took charge of those:</span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SyOf6cd337I/AAAAAAAAAys/P6tBPmt1Y7I/s1600-h/Digital+032.jpg"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414347003452186546" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SyOf6cd337I/AAAAAAAAAys/P6tBPmt1Y7I/s200/Digital+032.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#cc0000;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414351947851596834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SyOkaPyjhCI/AAAAAAAAAzE/VpmCKBs_z_0/s200/Digital+062.jpg" border="0" /><span style="font-family:verdana;">They were pretty amazing!</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;">While she worked away on those I decided to try out the two new cookies: Fig n Flax and the Lemon coconut cookies!<br /></span></p><p><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SyOgR9yWjKI/AAAAAAAAAy0/4Jas525r2Wc/s1600-h/Digital+035.jpg"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414347407533444258" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SyOgR9yWjKI/AAAAAAAAAy0/4Jas525r2Wc/s200/Digital+035.jpg" border="0" /></span></a></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;"></span> </p><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;"> I knew that the coconut ones had to cool and then be rolled in sugar again, so those came first. Check out that fresh lemon rind...they were so fresh and light!<br /></span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SyOgyoGPoJI/AAAAAAAAAy8/L4ILOJ8kUuQ/s1600-h/Digital+036.jpg"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414347968646979730" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SyOgyoGPoJI/AAAAAAAAAy8/L4ILOJ8kUuQ/s200/Digital+036.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;">and then later rolled in confectionery sugar....:) </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;"></span><br /><span style="color:#cc0000;"></span><br /><span style="color:#cc0000;"></span><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SyOk63jWSnI/AAAAAAAAAzM/N7d0gAUwdFg/s1600-h/Digital+068.jpg"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414352508281047666" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SyOk63jWSnI/AAAAAAAAAzM/N7d0gAUwdFg/s200/Digital+068.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;">Next up were the Fig n Flax....now I know that these sound </span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SyOlwd60GWI/AAAAAAAAAzU/KtdNcHbAKd4/s1600-h/Digital+072.jpg"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414353429113084258" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SyOlwd60GWI/AAAAAAAAAzU/KtdNcHbAKd4/s200/Digital+072.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;">healthy, and they were by far the healthiest tasting, but I really enjoyed them. Take note that fig and anything pretty much appeals to me :). The Flax give the cookie a bit of a nutty/whole wheat flavor too!</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;">Check out all those spices. We added some holly and berries to christmasize these too! (molly is a genius)</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;">We took turns putting cookies in the oven and thankfully they all cooked at the same temperature too!</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;">If you are wondering where erin was, she was in charge of the camera (and spent some of the morning outside taking pictures of the first snow!)</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#cc0000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="color:#cc0000;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414345864266609090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SyOe4Iq3ccI/AAAAAAAAAyk/ZDC8fAFgmbc/s200/Digital+030.jpg" border="0" /><span style="font-size:85%;">After a morning of baking we tackled the big challenge...decorating...again Molly to the rescue. She has a great piping set that makes decorating cookies a whole lot prettier and a whole lot easier!! Check out some of our handy work:</span></span></span><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414355265187670546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SyOnbV1G6hI/AAAAAAAAAzk/tDvw7Ssl5_U/s200/Digital+082.jpg" border="0" />genius at work</span></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414345450037549650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SyOegBi9mlI/AAAAAAAAAyc/UnJ-Oc74vfU/s200/Digital+025.jpg" border="0" /></span></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;">Where did this decorator come from???</span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SyOqO6TyTpI/AAAAAAAAAz8/piJJCwiHhgI/s1600-h/Digital+090.jpg"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></a></div><p><span style="color:#cc0000;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414354691163372306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SyOm57bDOxI/AAAAAAAAAzc/zxRbn06y4XA/s200/Digital+081.jpg" border="0" /></span></p><p><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SyOnsA0c0RI/AAAAAAAAAzs/Yd6bctJdwpk/s1600-h/Digital+088.jpg"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414355551605543186" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SyOnsA0c0RI/AAAAAAAAAzs/Yd6bctJdwpk/s200/Digital+088.jpg" border="0" /></span></a></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SyOqO6TyTpI/AAAAAAAAAz8/piJJCwiHhgI/s1600-h/Digital+090.jpg"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414358350176603794" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SyOqO6TyTpI/AAAAAAAAAz8/piJJCwiHhgI/s200/Digital+090.jpg" border="0" /></span></a></p><p><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SyOpsJ5DqnI/AAAAAAAAAz0/GgpnD6iFlrA/s1600-h/Digital+087.jpg"><span style="color:#cc0000;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414357753064041074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SyOpsJ5DqnI/AAAAAAAAAz0/GgpnD6iFlrA/s200/Digital+087.jpg" border="0" /></span></span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;"> Not to be overshadowed we also threw together some gingerbread to make gingerbread men too! These baked while we tackled some sugar cookies and then they got added to the counter to be dressed to impress!</span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;">Finished Product:<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414358682627363378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SyOqiQyOUjI/AAAAAAAAA0E/bI48dwlZLvw/s200/Digital+093.jpg" border="0" /></span></p><span style="color:#cc0000;">BAKING EXTRAVAGANZA 2009 complete...PHEW!</span>katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15963693909009998389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7625035662784217186.post-37839592745596372672009-11-28T09:36:00.009-05:002009-12-16T13:27:00.172-05:00Thanksgiving<span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#333300;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">This year's thanksgiving was full of family, fun and festivities!</span><span style="font-family:verdana;"> This was the first year that I spent away from my family, but I got to spend it with my future in-laws!</span></span></span><br /><br /><p><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#333300;">Let's rewind to "the night before Thanksgiving...." and all through the kitchen, not a pan was left unused! Erin's Family hosted Thanksgiving at their house this year, however Erin's mom graciously let me bring my numerous side dishes! I really loved having everyone over at our apartment this year and I was nervous I was going to miss out on cooking/baking all my favorites. So, when Karen gave me the green light to cook away...I did just that!</span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#333300;">My contributions included: my grandma's rolls, My mom's (and Betty crockers ;) Homemade Apple Pie, </span><a href="http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=521671"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#ff6600;">Gingered Pumpkin Pie</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;color:#333300;">, </span><a href="http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/green_bean_casserole.html_0"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#006600;">Green Bean Casserole</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;color:#333300;">, </span><a href="http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/brussels_sprouts_with_bacon_horseradish_cream.html"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#ff0000;">Brussels Sprouts with Bacon Horseradish Cream</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;color:#333300;">, AND </span><a href="http://www.hungry-girl.com/chew/chewdetails.php?isid=959"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#993300;">Sweet Potato Pie</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;color:#333300;">!</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#333300;">I tried really hard to pair the list down...but I just didn't want to leave out anything! </span><br /></p><p><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SxE3UXQceXI/AAAAAAAAAxA/NYIkISUpzrU/s1600/Digital+014.jpg"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#333300;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409165450428578162" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SxE3UXQceXI/AAAAAAAAAxA/NYIkISUpzrU/s200/Digital+014.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SxE3TmHYqmI/AAAAAAAAAww/8OAqdjWTyOQ/s1600/Digital+010.jpg"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#333300;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409165437237242466" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SxE3TmHYqmI/AAAAAAAAAww/8OAqdjWTyOQ/s200/Digital+010.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#333300;">The day before I spent a few hours baking, prepping and cooking so that Thanksgiving would be </span></span><span style="font-size:85%;color:#333300;">stress free! I started with the baking and by roasting our sugar pumpkin for fresh pumpkin puree.</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;color:#333300;"> My grandma's rolls were next up because they have to sit for a few hours prior to baking. </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;color:#333300;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size:85%;color:#333300;">Next was the pie crust and filling...everything came together quite easily and I was VERY happy with the way my pies turned out!</span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:verdana;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SxE3UvPLZvI/AAAAAAAAAxI/M_pqHJdeKwA/s1600/Digital+016.jpg"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#333300;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409165456865715954" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SxE3UvPLZvI/AAAAAAAAAxI/M_pqHJdeKwA/s200/Digital+016.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SxE3UXQceXI/AAAAAAAAAxA/NYIkISUpzrU/s1600/Digital+014.jpg"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"></span></a></p></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SxE3UPJxSDI/AAAAAAAAAw4/4tUeFjXrGjE/s1600/Digital+013.jpg"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#333300;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409165448253098034" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SxE3UPJxSDI/AAAAAAAAAw4/4tUeFjXrGjE/s200/Digital+013.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#333300;"><br /><br /></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><br /><br /><span style="color:#333300;"></span></span><br /><br /><p><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#333300;"></span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#333300;"></span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#333300;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#333300;"></span></span> </p><p><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#333300;">I next moved on to prepping all my casseroles. I made each of these </span><a href="http://findingmyinnerfoodie.blogspot.com/2008_11_01_archive.html"><span style="color:#333300;">last year </span></a><span style="color:#333300;">so I was pretty comfortable with the directions for each. I did implement a major change to my Brussels sprouts recipe this year! Since I am not really eating meat these days, and I really LOVE Brussels, I took the advice of a fellow baker online and substituted the bacon for TJ's Soy Chorizo...it was amazing! Added a great spice to the dish.</span></p></span><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SxE3VNI02wI/AAAAAAAAAxQ/mgGQB5mTIDo/s1600/Digital+018.jpg"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#333300;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409165464892136194" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SxE3VNI02wI/AAAAAAAAAxQ/mgGQB5mTIDo/s200/Digital+018.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><br /><br /><span style="color:#333300;"></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#333300;"></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#333300;"></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#333300;"></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#333300;">Oh...and this is what erin did while I cooked....</span><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SxE4ve7LzeI/AAAAAAAAAxY/3Rzn3gvfypU/s1600/Digital+019.jpg"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#333300;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409167015854984674" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SxE4ve7LzeI/AAAAAAAAAxY/3Rzn3gvfypU/s200/Digital+019.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#333300;">she's all mine! (you can see me working away in the background. i love it)</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#333300;"></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#333300;"></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#333300;">erin and I celebrated that night with a bottle of prosseco at a cute little Italian restaurant in our neighborhood. A much needed drink!</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#333300;">The planning turned out great and made for a stress free Thanksgiving day! Erin's sister Lizzie and Mom created a great table scape, and we had some herbed goat cheese, fruit and nuts as the meal cooked away....</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#333300;"></span><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SxE4vxd4XXI/AAAAAAAAAxg/n65ZMOIhVCI/s1600/Digital+035.jpg"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#333300;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409167020832349554" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SxE4vxd4XXI/AAAAAAAAAxg/n65ZMOIhVCI/s200/Digital+035.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#333300;"> </span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SxE4wJz8Y9I/AAAAAAAAAxo/o4_pvMuqrYE/s1600/Digital+029.jpg"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#333300;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409167027367338962" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SxE4wJz8Y9I/AAAAAAAAAxo/o4_pvMuqrYE/s200/Digital+029.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SxE4wb_TrpI/AAAAAAAAAxw/D7_01dyXnYI/s1600/Digital+050.jpg"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#333300;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409167032246840978" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SxE4wb_TrpI/AAAAAAAAAxw/D7_01dyXnYI/s200/Digital+050.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#333300;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></span></span><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><div><div><div><div><div><div><span style="font-size:85%;color:#333300;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-size:85%;color:#333300;">We had such a great Thanksgiving. I was very Thankful to be around family and fun!</span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15963693909009998389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7625035662784217186.post-55016545023431755842009-11-23T13:30:00.005-05:002009-12-01T13:37:30.077-05:00Hers and Hers Chili and Pumpkin Cornbread<div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff6600;">Although we are smack in the middle of fall and football season I have yet to make my turkey chili...it could possibly be that this is the first fall I really haven't eaten any meat...so it just hasn't been on my radar. But apparently is has been on erin's! So when she ever so nicely demanded that I whip up some chili I gladly agreed!</span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff6600;">She offered to enjoy it meatless with me, but I figured why not just make two separate batches?</span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff6600;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff6600;">I use this tried and true </span><a href="http://www.weightwatchers.com/food/rcp/index.aspx?recipeid=50509"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#330000;">Weight Watchers Turkey Chili Recipe</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff6600;">, with a few additions of my own.</span></div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff6600;">What goes good with chili (other than beer) why cornbread of course! I had seen this recipe for </span><a href="http://graduatemeghann.com/2009/11/11/split-pea-soup/"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc6600;">Pumpkin Cornbread </span></a><span style="color:#ff6600;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">earlier this month and its been in the back of my cooking brain ever since. </span><br /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#ff6600;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff6600;">After a quick trip to the grocery store for minimal supplies I got to work! </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff6600;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#ff6600;">I decided to start the batch of chili with all of the veggies and brown the meat separately. Once I added the spices I then transferred 1/2 the chili over the turkey meat, and left the other 1/2 meat free! hence: Hers and Hers Chili. </span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SxE0u7jqSZI/AAAAAAAAAwY/_ebtX3W4SOA/s1600/Digital+005.jpg"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff6600;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409162608314567058" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SxE0u7jqSZI/AAAAAAAAAwY/_ebtX3W4SOA/s200/Digital+005.jpg" border="0" /></span></a></span></div><div><span style="color:#ff6600;">My <span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">add ins:</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff6600;">-frozen corn</span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff6600;">-butternut squash </span></div><div><span style="color:#ff6600;"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">-mushrooms</span><br /></span><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff6600;">I will add that its mighty spicy, but that's the way that erin likes it! You can feel free to reduce the chili powder or red pepper flakes to your desired hotness.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff6600;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff6600;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff6600;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff6600;">While the chili was simmering away I went to work on the pumpkin cornbread. I simply followed the directions (no molasses in house so I substitute some maple syrup per erin's suggestion) and waited to bake it until we were ready to eat (i think cornbread is the best warm out of the oven!).</span></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SxE0uoN_7AI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/gvjKuMU_sxE/s1600/Digital+003.jpg"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff6600;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409162603123436546" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SxE0uoN_7AI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/gvjKuMU_sxE/s200/Digital+003.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff6600;"><br /><br /><br /></span><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff6600;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#ff6600;"><br /><br />Here's a close up of both....<br /><br /></span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SxE0vrnyg7I/AAAAAAAAAwo/4mzuKcySlqE/s1600/Digital+009.jpg"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff6600;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409162621216785330" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SxE0vrnyg7I/AAAAAAAAAwo/4mzuKcySlqE/s200/Digital+009.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SxE0vKFUMcI/AAAAAAAAAwg/AicEMn_UQ1k/s1600/Digital+008.jpg"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff6600;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409162612213821890" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SxE0vKFUMcI/AAAAAAAAAwg/AicEMn_UQ1k/s200/Digital+008.jpg" border="0" /></span></a></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff6600;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff6600;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff6600;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff6600;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff6600;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff6600;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff6600;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff6600;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff6600;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff6600;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff6600;">YUM YUM. The cornbread had a nice holiday spice to it and cut the heat a bit in the chili.</span></div></div></div>katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15963693909009998389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7625035662784217186.post-335336895500941182009-11-23T13:29:00.007-05:002009-11-30T14:41:22.253-05:00Armsby Abby<span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#663333;">When <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">erin</span> and I lived in NYC we use to love to go to Brunch on the weekends. It was so nice to sit at an outdoor place, or inside in a cozy pub and have unlimited mimosas and breakfast food at 1pm!</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#663333;">Since we've moved we haven't gone out to brunch. However our friend recently <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">recommended</span> a place in Worcester, </span><a href="http://armsbyabbey.com/"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Armsby</span> Abbey</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#663333;">. She mentioned that all of their food was local and their beer selection was impressive to say the least!</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#663333;">It certainly exceeded our expectations.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#663333;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#663333;">To start they have a free parking lot and inside of the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">restaurant</span> reminded us <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">alot</span> of places in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">brooklyn</span> and NY that we loved! Upon arriving we were greeted warmly at the door and given our choice of a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">window</span> seat (they had cushions and everything!) or a high bar table. We opted for the bar table and took our seats. The beer list was massive so we started with cocktails.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#663333;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Erin got the </span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="color:#993300;">Cabin Fever</span> which consist of: Vermont Spirits Maple & Hangar One Spiced Pear Vodkas, Mathilde <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Poire</span> Liqueur and Cabin Fever Maple Liqueur served straight up with a Cinnamon stick garnish. She actually got a Pear instead of a cinnamon stick.</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#663333;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">I chose The </span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="color:#33cc00;">French Kiss</span>: St. German <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Liquour</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">prosseco</span>, fresh lemon juice.</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;color:#663333;">They were both amazing!</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;color:#663333;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#663333;">Then on to the food. After <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">alot</span> of hemming and hawing (I really wanted to just get cheese and bread ;). Erin ordered the breakfast <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">calzone</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Housemade</span> Corned Beef Hash featuring <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Niman</span> Ranch Corned Beef (Alameda, CA), Red Peppers, Sweet Empire Onions, Red Potato, Vermont Cheddar and Local Eggs from Gibson’s Dairy Farm (Worcester, MA) served with a side of our Homemade <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Hollandaise</span> Sauce. I got the veggie quiche: <span style="font-family:verdana;">Roasted Pumpkin & <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Sautéed</span> Leeks, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Chevre</span> from Crystal Brook Farm (Sterling, MA), fresh Basil and Local Eggs from Gibson’s Dairy Farm (Worcester, MA) served with a side of dressed farm greens from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Berberian</span> Farm (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Northboro</span>, MA).</span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#663333;">As you can see the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">ingredients</span> are from local farms and they also pair each food item with a beer!</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;color:#663333;">After our cocktails we each ordered a beer too. I went for the BBC Raspberry and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">erin</span> got the Dogfish Pale Ale.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;color:#663333;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;color:#663333;">Everything was <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">SOOOOOO</span> good!</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#663333;">Their menu changes every week and we have plans to return for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">pre</span>-dinner drinks before <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">erin's</span> birthday.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#663333;">They made regulars out of us for sure!!</span>katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15963693909009998389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7625035662784217186.post-10749396252245311252009-11-10T12:32:00.006-05:002009-11-30T14:30:09.238-05:00Marathon Munching!<span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#993399;">So of course most people carb up before marathon's right? And who was I to argue with tradition. Although I will say that it was also erin's first trip back to NYC since we moved so we wanted to celebrate that as well. After a quick trip to the running expo we were ready to eat!</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#993399;">We had already decided to hit up our most frequented neighborhood, the West Village.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#993399;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#993399;">We first made a pit stop into Boxer's for a refreshment:</span><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SxExsxJoatI/AAAAAAAAAvo/bLVMj0_HBN8/s1600/Digital+164.jpg"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#993399;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409159272626416338" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SxExsxJoatI/AAAAAAAAAvo/bLVMj0_HBN8/s200/Digital+164.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#993399;">Beer for Carbs!</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#993399;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#993399;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#993399;">Okay in all honesty it was erin's beer and i quickly vetoed eating here...because frankly I am not a fan of beer in plastic glasses :(</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#993399;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#993399;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#993399;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#993399;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#993399;">We then made our way down the street to a cute little tapas restaurant. Erin and i had actually always wanted to try this place when we lived here but it was always super busy or closed. So I jumped at the chance to grab a window seat and chow down.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#993399;">The menu was great! We opted to share some plates including: mussels, calamari, shrimp and a veggie sandwich with goat cheese...YU</span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SxExtBMMVbI/AAAAAAAAAvw/8K2wcv7aJ4Q/s1600/Digital+170.jpg"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#993399;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409159276932126130" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SxExtBMMVbI/AAAAAAAAAvw/8K2wcv7aJ4Q/s200/Digital+170.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#993399;">M! The waiter found out that I was running the marathon the next day and kept sending bread over to the table...<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#993399;"></span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SxExt_shRrI/AAAAAAAAAwA/GRbV3isDXs4/s1600/Digital+173.jpg"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#993399;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409159293710714546" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SxExt_shRrI/AAAAAAAAAwA/GRbV3isDXs4/s200/Digital+173.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;color:#993399;">everything was so tasty!</span><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#993399;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SxExtggoVCI/AAAAAAAAAv4/yNAA7nTon_4/s1600/Digital+171.jpg"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#993399;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409159285339345954" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SxExtggoVCI/AAAAAAAAAv4/yNAA7nTon_4/s200/Digital+171.jpg" border="0" /></span></a></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#993399;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#993399;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#993399;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#993399;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#993399;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#993399;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#993399;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#993399;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#993399;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#993399;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#993399;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#993399;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#993399;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span></span> </div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#993399;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span></span> </div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#993399;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span></span> </div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#993399;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span></span> </div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#993399;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span></span> </div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#993399;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span></span> </div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#993399;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span></span> </div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#993399;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span></span> </div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#993399;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span></span> </div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#993399;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span></span> </div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#993399;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">After heading back to Staten Island (we were staying with our friend molly's in laws which was SO nice!) we headed to Aunt Gina's for Halloween Dinner! She had tons of snacks out all afternoon which I didn't hesitate to graze upon. </span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#993399;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#993399;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">I finished the night off simple with a nice bowl of pasta...I was ready!<br /></span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SxExuBkoxwI/AAAAAAAAAwI/fIvXwmEBWl8/s1600/Digital+196.jpg"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#993399;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409159294214522626" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SxExuBkoxwI/AAAAAAAAAwI/fIvXwmEBWl8/s200/Digital+196.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><br /><br /><br /><br /></div></span></span>katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15963693909009998389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7625035662784217186.post-73065673374176635842009-10-27T12:26:00.010-04:002009-11-30T14:11:29.909-05:00The first pie of the season. fail.<span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#660000;">Our apartment is officially filled to the brim with Apples . Although I eat at least one a day, right after our picking I had to head to Chicago for work. When I returned i knew an apple pie was on the agenda. We just couldn't wait until Thanksgiving.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#660000;">Enter my mother's famous Pie. Now its not my mother's because she made up the recipe or anything, she is just so perfect at executing it (Betty <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Crocker's</span> Better Homes and Gardens). Honestly no one else compares. I would NEVER buy a store made crust or a store pie for that matter!! Not that I judge anyone who does (I have had my fair share of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">delicious</span> store bought deserts) it was just a homemade crust/pie has been <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">ingrained</span> in my cooking brain for as long as I can remember.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#660000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#660000;">Now if you read my blog you know that i cook "healthy" and those <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">ingredients</span> that aren't healthy or I don't <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">particularly</span> care for tend to get omitted or substituted with something else. </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#660000;">For example:</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#660000;">Oil - omitted or applesauce in baked goods</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#660000;">Butter - i like to use <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">brumble</span> and brown (a yogurt based spread)</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#660000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#660000;">Normally when it comes to crust I stick with the old tried and true recipe. No <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">substitutions</span> here, however I don't have <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Crisco</span> in my house normally and i assumed that using <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">brumel</span> would suffice...the crust rolled out beautifully! the best it EVER has! I even placed a phone call to my mom letting her know that this would be my "best pie yet...". I really should have known better...</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#660000;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409153123737437986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SxEsG2wQhyI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/q3MRB6L2MiA/s200/Digital+114.jpg" border="0" />Now I know you are thinking, "that pie looks great" and it does! But the flavor in the crust just was not there. It never fully browned and honestly the crust tasted like cardboard...</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#660000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#660000;">A few weeks later, with the hard lesson learned, I purchased some <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Crisco</span> and tried again...<br /></span><br /><p><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SxEsHo8OCNI/AAAAAAAAAvg/VEZaGJbeeuE/s1600/Digital+122.jpg"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#660000;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409153137209379026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SxEsHo8OCNI/AAAAAAAAAvg/VEZaGJbeeuE/s200/Digital+122.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#660000;"> Look at the brown on that crust!<br />Erin actually didn't mind the taste of my first attempt however after tasting this one...she understood my feelings.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409153126439162082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SxEsHA0ZkOI/AAAAAAAAAvY/P3qOOPy4OMU/s200/Digital+121.jpg" border="0" />Even I can admit...sometimes <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">substitutions</span> just do not work!</span></p>katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15963693909009998389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7625035662784217186.post-31481095248049259432009-10-14T11:56:00.012-04:002009-11-30T14:02:23.750-05:00Spaghetti Squash Sesame Stir-fry<div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#996633;">I purchased a spaghetti squash the other day in anticipation of making one of erin's fall favorites: </span></span><a href="http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/spaghetti_squash_pork_stir_fry.html"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#996633;">Spaghetti Squash & Pork Stir-fry</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#996633;">. I made this awhile back and since then I haven't been eating meat, other than fish...so I decided to try a little change up and omit the pork and add shrimp!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#996633;">I started by cutting the large squash in half and then carving out the middle, keeping the seeds. Then I place both sides face down on a cookie sheet and roast the spaghetti squash for about 40 mins at 400 degrees. The good thing about this step is you can even do this the night before and shred the squash for the next day.</span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SwscZIrnBtI/AAAAAAAAAuo/Vcf9_sgnvSs/s1600/Digital+042.jpg"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#996633;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407446995741116114" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SwscZIrnBtI/AAAAAAAAAuo/Vcf9_sgnvSs/s200/Digital+042.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/Swsdt7akeuI/AAAAAAAAAu4/pZdOa8otsDo/s1600/Digital+045.jpg"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#996633;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407448452468865762" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/Swsdt7akeuI/AAAAAAAAAu4/pZdOa8otsDo/s200/Digital+045.jpg" border="0" /></span></a></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407447595421988466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/Swsc8Cqq9nI/AAAAAAAAAuw/VFJoN98q_ak/s200/Digital+043.jpg" border="0" /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#996633;"><br />As you can see by the last photo that the cooked squash resembles spagetti strands!</span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SxEqONM0UeI/AAAAAAAAAvA/B4Lqz6JlLpo/s1600/Digital+044.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409151050998632930" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SxEqONM0UeI/AAAAAAAAAvA/B4Lqz6JlLpo/s200/Digital+044.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><p><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#996633;">Then i went to prepping all the "add ins". The nice thing about Eatingwell is although some of the ingrediants/sauces you might not have on hand, you don't have to use that much and they last forever!!while the squash is cooking I prepped all the "add ins" and got all the sauces out of the cupboard!</span></p><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SxEqOZeF0KI/AAAAAAAAAvI/IHaP6SCVcaY/s1600/Digital+049.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409151054292308130" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SxEqOZeF0KI/AAAAAAAAAvI/IHaP6SCVcaY/s200/Digital+049.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><p><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#996633;">All together now:</span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#996633;"></span></p><span style="color:#996633;"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">Of course I didn't miss the pork at all...but the real test...neither did erin!</span> </span></div>katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15963693909009998389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7625035662784217186.post-75082172898050612832009-10-12T15:26:00.009-04:002009-11-23T18:30:21.761-05:00Supporting local Farms, and local apples<span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#ff0000;">On our MUST DO list for New England Fall activities we can now cross </span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SwsY6_K4HKI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/SnYMitExWJk/s1600/Digital+008.jpg"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407443179256945826" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SwsY6_K4HKI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/SnYMitExWJk/s200/Digital+008.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#ff0000;">off Apple Picking. Not only do I enjoy apples year round, but when I get the chance to pick them myself...im in heaven.</span></span><span style="color:#ff0000;"><br /><br /><br /></span><div><div><div><div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><span style="font-size:85%;">This year, while researching where we should pick, I was overwhelmed with all the choices. erin and i probably have at least five orchards within a five mile radius of our apartment...probably more than that! We both decided that we wanted to pick one that was a bit off the beaten path, a little less crowded, and definitely local!</span> <span style="font-size:85%;">After all the hemming and hawing we literally just drove around until we found a cute sign pointing us up a steep hill. There we found <a href="http://www.nicewiczfarm.com/"><span style="color:#006600;">Nicewicz</span></a><span style="color:#006600;"> Family Farm</span>.</span></span></span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff0000;">It was definitely local with a great little farm stand out front, pumpkins, and of course a tractor for erin's photo pleasure!</span></div><span style="color:#ff0000;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407439672495468194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SwsVu3dybqI/AAAAAAAAAt4/GCYztferM2A/s200/Digital+007.jpg" border="0" /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">We paid for our big bag and made our way across the street to trees! We passed some great pear trees on the way and finally found my favorites: Cortland, Macs and Macons! The owner steered us in the right directions and ordered us to make sure we sampled the goods while picking. we obeyed!!</span></span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SwsWK6ArtTI/AAAAAAAAAuA/N3fiMoFyumU/s1600/Digital+031.jpg"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407440154215036210" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SwsWK6ArtTI/AAAAAAAAAuA/N3fiMoFyumU/s200/Digital+031.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#ff0000;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">I sure made use of every inch of our bag.</span><br /><br /></span><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;"></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#ff0000;">Erin made use of our new camera:</span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SwsZ3UCo8mI/AAAAAAAAAuY/YJShMfoBKXc/s1600/Digital+021.jpg"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407444215651693154" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SwsZ3UCo8mI/AAAAAAAAAuY/YJShMfoBKXc/s200/Digital+021.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SwsYeG41sTI/AAAAAAAAAuI/r937sGIBKvk/s1600/Digital+016.jpg"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407442683112567090" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SwsYeG41sTI/AAAAAAAAAuI/r937sGIBKvk/s200/Digital+016.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#ff0000;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407445024395747954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SwsamY2P4nI/AAAAAAAAAug/Cx22NXt1Mwk/s200/Digital+036.jpg" border="0" /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff0000;">stay tuned for apple recipes galore...</span></div></div></div></div></div></div>katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15963693909009998389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7625035662784217186.post-61054825962475022362009-10-07T13:17:00.006-04:002009-10-13T14:39:22.592-04:00Apple of My Eye<span style="color:#ff0000;">Autumn is in full force up here in New England and sticking with the Fall theme I decided to try </span><a href="http://www.hungry-girl.com/chew/chewdetails.php?isid=1373"><span style="color:#663300;">HG's Apple Cobbler </span></a><span style="color:#ff0000;">again. If you are a frequent reader (um...hi Dad!) then you may recall me trying this dish last year to mixed reviews...</span><a href="http://findingmyinnerfoodie.blogspot.com/search?q=apple+cobbler"><span style="color:#ff0000;">take one</span></a><span style="color:#ff0000;">.<br /></span><div><span style="color:#ff0000;">I loved it, but in a "this is a healthy desert" way. And if I recall erin stuck with Halloween candy at this point, so I didn't have super high hopes. But hey, apples/oats and fiber one...sign me up!</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#ff0000;">As noted before you also get a HUGE portion of apple crisp for not alot of calories, which is always a plus.</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#ff0000;">Apples peeled (I used mac's even though the recipe calls for sweet...i like my apples tart!)</span></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/StTH44VJOLI/AAAAAAAAAtw/0HnG0xvJ7U4/s1600-h/HG+apple+Cobbler.jpg"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392154433876998322" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/StTH44VJOLI/AAAAAAAAAtw/0HnG0xvJ7U4/s200/HG+apple+Cobbler.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><br /><div><span style="color:#ff0000;">Crumble prepped (oats added) </span></div><div><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span> </div><div><span style="color:#ff0000;">and into the oven it went! 10 mins later...warm appleness was delivered. topped with whipped cream.</span></div><div><span style="color:#ff0000;">Now as mentioned I was highly prepared to have leftovers for myself because this is just not an erin desert...</span></div><div><span style="color:#ff0000;">BUT, she LOVED it! I don't know what it was this year but she said it was really really good!</span></div><div><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span> </div><div><span style="color:#ff0000;">We recently stumbled across the highly loved </span><a href="http://www.edys.com/brand/funflavors/flavor.asp?b=1421&f=2769"><span style="color:#ff6600;">Edy's Pumpkin Ice Cream </span></a><span style="color:#ff0000;">and I dare say it would be an unstoppable desert!</span></div>katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15963693909009998389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7625035662784217186.post-13412586000344446852009-10-05T13:42:00.012-04:002009-10-12T15:25:29.814-04:00Pumpkin cookies, pumpkin pancakes, pumpkin burgers<div><div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#990000;">Tis the season for Pumpkin recipes and as I thought about my late eats I opted to combine by food group...this one we shall call Pumpkin!</span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#990000;">I love fall and I <span style="color:#990000;">love</span> all the cooking that comes with it. I love squash (all types), apples, cider, soups....and on and on. Harvest time brings out so many new foods to cook with that it doesn't make me miss the heat at all! Well maybe sometimes.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#990000;">I will start with my latest batch of Pumpkin cookies! I stumbled upon this recipe last year and it is so healthy, yet delicious that I knew it would be making more appearances. These are Eating Well's </span><a href="http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/pumpkin_cookies.html"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff6600;">Pumpkin Cookies</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#990000;">. The ingredients are quite simple and so is the execution. I used applesauce in lieu of the oil (didn't have any).</span></div><div> </div><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/StN_I4aff4I/AAAAAAAAAtY/TtlIwNAdvR0/s1600-h/p1.jpg"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#990000;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391792969451798402" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/StN_I4aff4I/AAAAAAAAAtY/TtlIwNAdvR0/s200/p1.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#990000;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391791895944273010" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/StN-KZSWnHI/AAAAAAAAAtI/6IAzokafam8/s200/pumpk+cookies.jpg" border="0" />Combine the dry, combine the wet. Then put them together:</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#990000;">and stir. They are great little treats to try and quite spicy in flavor...meaning allspice, nutmeg<br />and cinnamon Oh MY!<br /></span><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#990000;">I couldn't wait to share these with our friends Scott and Terra! But what they shared with us was rather amazing as well!I apparently am not alone in my love of cooking with pumpkins as erin and I so happily discovered on our latest trip to Peekskill! Our friends terra and scott had an amazing recipe in mind for breakfast one morning:</span><br /></div><div><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/halfbakedrecipes/pumpkin-apple-pancakes"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff0000;">Pumpkin-Apple Pancakes</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff0000;">!</span></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391793539811120418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/StN_qFKwFSI/AAAAAAAAAtg/PQ3Kc7e4SuE/s200/pumpkin+pancakes+1.jpg" border="0" /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#990000;">These were incredible!! I really can't blog about how they were made because I went for a run and when i returned the house smelled of pancakes, pumpkin and warm apples...I couldn't wait to try these!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391793860771866738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/StN_8w1waHI/AAAAAAAAAto/dnsWQXqUh1w/s200/pump+pan+2.jpg" border="0" /></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#990000;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">(um...yes that is a fresh piece of apple in the pumpkin pancake. heaven</span>)<br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;color:#990000;">As I was eating them I exclaimed: "It's like fall in my mouth"!! Thanks Terra...YUM</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;color:#990000;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;color:#990000;">Of course with desert and breakfast I had to include a great "pumpkin themed dinner". Again these are a repeat as erin and I are both huge fans. <a href="http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/southwestern_pumpkin_burgers.html"><span style="color:#330000;">SOUTHWESTERN PUMPKIN BURGERS</span></a>!</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;color:#990000;">I made these last fall and the fall before and frankly they are a must try. I don't think you would even know there is pumpkin in the recipe by taste, so it's perfect to make even if someone is not a pumpkin fan! The southwestern flavors (hello cumin) really pair nicely with the pumpkin and the corn(the corn is erin's favorite part).</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;color:#990000;">Sadly...the camera enjoyed the burgers just as much as we did. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;color:#990000;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;color:#990000;">To add to that we finally have a NEW camera who I'm told is not a big eater. We took it apple picking this weekend and it didn't eat a single one!</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;color:#990000;">willpower.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;color:#990000;"></span> </div></div>katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15963693909009998389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7625035662784217186.post-5217549559990647852009-09-29T12:12:00.015-04:002009-10-09T13:36:07.881-04:00Engagement Party Extravaganza!<span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff0000;">The celebration just keeps on coming!! erin and I were lucky enough to celebrate our engagement with a great group of friends and family this past weekend! Our friend Emily offered up her great apartment and our friend Molly certainly provided just about everything else!</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff0000;">We had quite a turn out of food, friends and fun!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff0000;">Since this is primary a food blog, let's start with the food...brought by friends.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff0000;">Erin's mom brought the cake and it was incredible!! as you can see she had the decorated draw a tree, with a swing on it to show where we got engaged. perfect.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389915945864598114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SszT_up5EmI/AAAAAAAAAsI/DZRh-bYxQ_Q/s200/e+cake.jpg" border="0" /></span><br /><br /><p><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff0000;">Molly also contributed to the desert by bringing her amazing </span><a href="http://findingmyinnerfoodie.blogspot.com/2009/09/move-in-madness.html"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc9933;">sugar cookies </span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff0000;">decorated simply with homemade white frosting. YUM.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff0000;">I had requested some of Molly's past goodies including: </span><a href="http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=1835294#"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#993399;">fig and goat cheese bruschetta </span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff0000;">(this was by far my favorite dish of the night...my families too) and <a href="http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=1835269"><span style="color:#000000;">chipotle black bean dip</span></a>! My future Sister in law Kara brought a buffalo moz. bruschetta and turkey cauliflower meatballs (both a huge hit!). Emily made some tasty Sangria!, a spin-artichoke dip (always a winner) and a great veggie platter! Erin's cousin Jayda brought beer bread with a dip (also one of my favorites).</span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff0000;">To round out the spread I decided to bring: Shrimp Cocktail, a lovely cheese platter with a </span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SszXQmwZ-BI/AAAAAAAAAsY/tdeayixY0a4/s1600-h/e4.jpg"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff0000;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389919534337095698" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SszXQmwZ-BI/AAAAAAAAAsY/tdeayixY0a4/s200/e4.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SszcHi8C2GI/AAAAAAAAAsg/2NGgC2gN3Ks/s1600-h/e3.jpg"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff0000;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389924876251486306" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SszcHi8C2GI/AAAAAAAAAsg/2NGgC2gN3Ks/s200/e3.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff0000;">homemade fig-mango cherry jam (made by the chef at my </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.maxwells148.com"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff0000;">restaurant</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff0000;">!), homemade Hummus, </span><a href="http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=1886444"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff6600;">Nectarine and Mozzarella Skewers with Pesto</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff0000;">,(used my homemade pesto sauce and my Dad threw these together) and a fresh fruit platter with a Kahlua/cool whip dip.</span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#ff0000;">Check out this spread:</span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SszdIA-pn_I/AAAAAAAAAsw/if_peMjMrvI/s1600-h/e+spread.jpg"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389925983827107826" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SszdIA-pn_I/AAAAAAAAAsw/if_peMjMrvI/s200/e+spread.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SszdUUQfhvI/AAAAAAAAAs4/11q14ucjJFk/s1600-h/e+spread+1.jpg"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389926195160647410" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SszdUUQfhvI/AAAAAAAAAs4/11q14ucjJFk/s200/e+spread+1.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#ff0000;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389925561174060626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SszcvaeT7lI/AAAAAAAAAso/QjNATjziIeg/s200/e5.jpg" border="0" /></span></span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#ff0000;">Seriously...there was barely room on the table for all this food!</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#ff0000;">We were so blown away by all the support and love we got...my heart was bursting with happiness and my stomach was pretty full too!</span>katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15963693909009998389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7625035662784217186.post-853373500560632592009-09-18T13:51:00.007-04:002009-10-06T14:26:23.248-04:00Move in Madness<div><div><span style="color:#ff0000;"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">Our friends Nick and Molly just bought their first house and we couldn't be more excited for them!! It's amazing and Molly finally has a big kitchen to use all of her wedding swag in and her limitless knowledge of baking and recipes (her mom works for King Arthur Flour, so it's practically in her blood ;).<br /></span><br /></span><div><div><span style="color:#ff0000;"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">We headed to their house for their first, of many, weekend get together's. Of course it was filled with food and fun! Despite the fact that they just moved in, Molly made a great spread for us to enjoy AND they had picked up not only Sam Adams Oktoberfest, but <a href="http://findingmyinnerfoodie.blogspot.com/2008/10/pizza-pie-and-pumpkin-brew.html">Shipyard Pumpkin</a>! (my favorite). </span><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389548801500172882" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SsuGFHUM0lI/AAAAAAAAArw/JOflbIpRgWQ/s200/chipotle+black+bean+dip+molly.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /></span></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SsuFEKjVb8I/AAAAAAAAArg/0NNc0eZBMpE/s1600-h/mollys+cookies.JPG"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff0000;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389547685677461442" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SsuFEKjVb8I/AAAAAAAAArg/0NNc0eZBMpE/s200/mollys+cookies.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff0000;">These are some of her homemade sugar cookies with homemade frosting decorated as fall leaves, squirrels and acorns! These tasted as good as they looked.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff0000;">She also wowed the crowed with a great dip from Cooking Light: black-bean chipotle dip that she served up with chips/celery and carrot sticks. This was a crowd pleaser and as you will see soon was also a must have at our engagement party!! She has the best platters for these things (that she again completely supplied for the engagement party spread). There were other delicious snacks throughout the weekend and of course I wanted to contribute something...So I came up with breakfast for the next morning.</span></div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"></span></div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><div><span style="color:#ff0000;">It was a perfect recipe to do for a group and travelling because I was able to prep the night before and just throw it in the oven when I went for a run the next morning! I took advantage of Molly's great kitchen and prepped there, but this is totally something you could take with you if you were staying over at someones house!</span></div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/baked_apple_cinnamon_french_toast.html"><span style="color:#993300;">Baked Apple-Cinnamon French Toast</span></a><span style="color:#ff0000;"> So simple!</span></div><span style="color:#ff0000;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389551757697154738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SsuIxMAe_rI/AAAAAAAAAr4/xVx2YeXcS9s/s200/apple+FT.jpg" border="0" />I combined all the dry ingredients above(minus the raisins..erin's not a fan). I used a low-cal bread to save some calories but you could use a variety of breads to make it heartier as well! I also think that raisins would have added a little texture, but any dried fruit would do. I failed to save enough crust less pieces of bread to cover the top completely...but we made it work! and it was yummy with real maple syrupy. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389552320223431234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SsuJR7lMykI/AAAAAAAAAsA/9jCevXUpvuU/s200/apple+FT2.jpg" border="0" />I don't think that Nick and Molly knew they would be opening a cooking school when they bought their new house...but they know me well so I don't think it will be a big shocker :).</span></span></div></div>katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15963693909009998389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7625035662784217186.post-83458434932911052272009-09-15T13:04:00.004-04:002009-09-30T14:35:17.626-04:00Chinese take-out...made in!<span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;">I love the little town that I call home...but it is rather little. and with that comes limited options for take out food (which is sometimes a good thing!) Our choice is typically Chinese food which is fine by me because you can either splurge or go with the steamed options. Either way you are still getting take out...even if its a fake out. So the other night erin and i were craving some Chinese food. We dialed up our trusty neighborhood place and to our horror they notified us they were not delivering that night. WHAT??????????<br /><br /></span><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;">In order to make sure that never occurred again I decided to finally try a recipe I had bookmarked awhile ago for </span><a href="http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/moo_shu_vegetables.html"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#663366;">Moo Shu Vegetables</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;">. I had turned erin on to Moo Shu awhile back so I knew that she would be game. Of course you can always choose to add a meat of choice to this dish.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;">I did have a few items to purchase for this one because most of the ingredients are fresh! (fresh ginger, bag of shredded veggies, bean sprouts, scallions and hosin sauce) The most expensive (hosin sauce) will last me awhile though, so it will definitely pay for it's self. I already had the rice vinegar from a previous recipe, and most Asian recipes I stumble upon call for these sauces!</span></div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387329794557597714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SsOj56R72BI/AAAAAAAAArY/hCBrFA9hbIQ/s200/chinese+sauces.JPG" border="0" />The directions are super simple and direct. and since it calls for pre-shredded veggies the most prep I had to do was chop the ginger/garlic and scallions. We were ready for dinner in less than fifteen mins.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;">The veggies themselves are fairly low in calories so I would pair this with brown rice, tortillas or throw some meat in there!</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;">Sadly my camera ate the picture of the final product just about as fast as we did. It was delicious. It had the same flavors as take out minus the oil aftertaste! The fresh ginger really complimented everything. YUM.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;">Try it now. put down that phone.</span>katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15963693909009998389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7625035662784217186.post-4041071659434642112009-09-08T15:26:00.004-04:002009-09-30T14:02:10.333-04:00Purple Monster<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SsOZZBxfsQI/AAAAAAAAArQ/sOU5AnEEt0Q/s1600-h/purple+monster.jpg"><span style="color:#cc33cc;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387318234517057794" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SsOZZBxfsQI/AAAAAAAAArQ/sOU5AnEEt0Q/s200/purple+monster.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc33cc;">Around the food blog world a <a href="http://ohsheglows.com/"><span style="color:#009900;">Green Monster</span> </a>is a food group in and of it's self! I have seen so many different variations of this "smoothie" that of course I had to try my hand at it!</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc33cc;">One morning after a long hot run I opted away from my typical bowl of oats and decided to use up some "last leg spinach". I threw that in my trusty blender along with:</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc33cc;">-1 cup of Skim milk</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc33cc;">-1 frozen banana (this takes the place of adding ice as well)</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc33cc;">-1/4 cup of frozen raspberries</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc33cc;">-1/4 cup of frozen blueberries</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc33cc;">-1/8 cup of oats (i had read that this gave a good texture to the smoothie...and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">i'm</span> a texture girl (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">twss</span>)</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc33cc;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc33cc;">As the blender began it was of course green and then...the purple took over. Fine by me!</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc33cc;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc33cc;">I have since tried kale in replace of the spinach and although i loved it, its not for the faint of heart. I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">definitely</span> think kale gives a hearty more green taste to the monster. You can of course also substitute any frozen berries that you have on hand, or are in season.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">What color is your monster???</span>katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15963693909009998389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7625035662784217186.post-26960010805020548782009-09-04T13:23:00.010-04:002009-09-23T13:22:43.769-04:00Back to School, Baking and Basil Pesto<div><div><div><div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff0000;">Back to school and back to baking! Sometimes i feel like a stay at home mom when I work from home, and i get the urge to bake erin something fun to eat when she gets home (I don't think she minds all that much!). So while i was looking through my Hungry Girl book I stumbled upon </span><a href="http://book.hungry-girl.com/books/2/10?&show_all=true"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#993300;">Funky Monkey Squares</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff0000;">. These were super simple, super low-cal and used up some bananas on their last leg! Now I can't post the recipe because it is in her book "Hungry Girl 200 under 200", but this is seriously worth the buy! It has TONS of simple/tasty recipes and will more than pay for itself with all the fun ideas.</span></div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SrpUNao-LvI/AAAAAAAAApk/lbwzQSmTrzk/s1600-h/fm.jpg"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff0000;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384708893941051122" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SrpUNao-LvI/AAAAAAAAApk/lbwzQSmTrzk/s200/fm.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff0000;"> </span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SrpUT-UlKSI/AAAAAAAAAps/j4TJmwG71ys/s1600-h/fm2.jpg"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff0000;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384709006598416674" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SrpUT-UlKSI/AAAAAAAAAps/j4TJmwG71ys/s200/fm2.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff0000;">The ingredients came together rather nicely although I will admit I was a bit worried at how thin and small the bars looked in the pan! But after cooking and cooling they looked perfect. They are a bit on the thin side but make up for it in taste! Erin is always my go to for approval with these deserts because she will be the first to identify something as "healthy tasting"...she loved these! They were similar texture to banana bread but a bit heartier! I enjoyed mine for desert that night with a scoop of frozen vanilla yogurt. YUM.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff0000;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff0000;">Working backwards, while the bars were cooking, I set out to use some of this:</span></div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff0000;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384709758056598578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SrpU_tuLDDI/AAAAAAAAAp0/W9Dftn-kgYU/s200/basil.jpg" border="0" />Since you can't smell this picture I will leave you to imagine what an amazing aroma fresh basil brings to a small apartment! I love this smell and it was just screaming to be made into some guilt free pesto! I say guilt free because back in my weight watchers days I stumbled upon a "point friendly" </span><a href="http://www.weightwatchers.com/food/rcp/index.aspx?recipeId=110351"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#009900;">pesto recipe</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff0000;">. A typical pesto uses olive oil as the liquid, (which is heart healthy in doses!) but to save point WW's substituted fat free chicken stock. Genius!</span></div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SrpXZJ0spII/AAAAAAAAAqE/4pWU7lZnzAA/s1600-h/pesto1.jpg"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff0000;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384712394120144002" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SrpXZJ0spII/AAAAAAAAAqE/4pWU7lZnzAA/s200/pesto1.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SrpXfQYfinI/AAAAAAAAAqM/3JMsLez5GBo/s1600-h/pesto2.jpg"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff0000;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384712498960108146" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SrpXfQYfinI/AAAAAAAAAqM/3JMsLez5GBo/s200/pesto2.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff0000;"><br /><br /><br /></span><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff0000;">I just combine all the listed ingredients in my trusty (yet old and needs to be replaced) food processor and voila!</span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff0000;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff0000;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff0000;">I have made this many times before and it can be frozen, used over pasta, as a sandwich spread....or in my favorite use: Pizza! </span></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SrpYwbIRplI/AAAAAAAAAqc/KqCLRYtzs4o/s1600-h/pizza.jpg"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff0000;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384713893414282834" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SrpYwbIRplI/AAAAAAAAAqc/KqCLRYtzs4o/s200/pizza.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SrpYiCbQqtI/AAAAAAAAAqU/XPNYiqfZsEI/s1600-h/erins+pizz.jpg"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff0000;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384713646264855250" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SrpYiCbQqtI/AAAAAAAAAqU/XPNYiqfZsEI/s200/erins+pizz.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ff0000;">It's so simple because no matter how large, or small, a group you have everyone can make their own pizzas with their own toppings! <---Erin stays pretty simple with pesto/cheese and artichoke hearts...where as I load up on veggies and skip the cheese-->. Her's always looks better :).</span> </span></div></div></div>katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15963693909009998389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7625035662784217186.post-53806976701575555302009-08-31T13:27:00.007-04:002009-09-23T12:50:00.271-04:00Operation Cod (not the fish)<span style="color:#330099;"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">On a recent trip to cape cod with our friends terra and scott we rented a great little cottage on a cove and set out for some fun in the sun....Fun we found, sun not so much. But that didn't stop us from having another great food weekend!</span> </span><div><div><div><div><span style="color:#330099;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#330099;">After some interesting kayaking and canoeing (lets just say erin was a great captain with a not so helpful, hungry crew (me) she wanted to get some snacks into me right away! All we had to say was the word and Terra and Scott whipped out some tasty dips that they had made from </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.realsimple.com"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#3366ff;">Real Simple</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#330099;">! There were four different options:</span></div><div><br /><span style="color:#330099;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384703290221935090" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SrpPHPKOOfI/AAAAAAAAAo8/Um65Di_uiuI/s200/real+simple+dips.jpg" border="0" /></span><a href="http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/spicy-black-beans-avocado-canapes-recipe-00000000017369/index.html"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#330000;">Spicy Black Bean and avocado </span></a><span style="color:#330099;"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">(with jalapenos from their garden)!</span><br /></span></div><div><a href="http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/corn-cucumber-goat-cheese-canapes-recipe-00000000017371/index.html"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#33cc00;">Corn, Cucumber and Goat Cheese</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#330099;"> (you cannot go wrong with goat cheese)</span></div><div><a href="http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/asian-shrimp-canapes-recipe-00000000017373/index.html"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc33cc;">Asian Shrimp</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#330099;"> (so light and delicious)</span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#330099;">and a mix of the leftovers!!!</span></div><div><span style="color:#330099;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#330099;">all served with tostidos! HOLY YUM. these were delectable. Each had their own flavors and were so fresh tasting! Erin and I were very impressed and I can't wait to make these for our next party!!</span></div><div><span style="color:#330099;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#330099;">After the angry hunger had been taken care of we moved on to dinner plans. Since we were on the cape we wanted to take advantage of the fresh seafood...we all decided to make our own fish tacos! </span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#330099;">Quick trip to the store we came back with:</span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#330099;">-cod fish</span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#330099;">-limes</span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#330099;">-cilantro</span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#330099;">-garlic</span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#330099;">-mangos</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#330099;">-avocados</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#330099;">-mango salsa (newman's own!)</span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#330099;">-salsa verde</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#330099;">-red cabbage</span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#330099;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">-tortillas</span> </span></span></div><div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SrpPUFcH4gI/AAAAAAAAApE/Fdtq-83Rc-U/s1600-h/marinated+fish.jpg"><span style="color:#330099;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384703510950961666" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SrpPUFcH4gI/AAAAAAAAApE/Fdtq-83Rc-U/s200/marinated+fish.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SrpPmmkFQAI/AAAAAAAAApM/Ch2pp_7WWgI/s1600-h/salsa.jpg"><span style="color:#330099;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384703829080358914" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SrpPmmkFQAI/AAAAAAAAApM/Ch2pp_7WWgI/s200/salsa.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#330099;"> <span style="font-size:85%;">We decided to marinate the fish in: garlic, cilantro and lime juice and Terra suggested that we also make our own fruit salsa for a garnish. We combined fresh mango, avocado and cilantro and let all the flavors come together in the fridge as the fish marinated. Scott did a great job of grilling it up and taco making commenced.</span></span></div><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#330099;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#330099;">I had mine with some crunchy red cabbage, homemade mango salsa and a bit of salsa verde for spice. the textures and flavors were great! <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384704238215830258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SrpP-atlGvI/AAAAAAAAApc/Mx1qufGs8rI/s200/taco+spread.jpg" border="0" /><span style="font-family:verdana;"> we also enjoyed some great wine that Scott brought from a winery that Erin and I actually got to visit on our trip to CA: </span></span></span><a href="http://www.darioush.com/index.html"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff0000;">Darioush.</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#330099;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#330099;">good friends, good wine, good food.</span> <div><strong><span style="color:#330099;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">OPERATION COD = SUCCESSFUL</span><br /></span></strong></div></div></div></div>katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15963693909009998389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7625035662784217186.post-36620016118402649222009-08-10T12:14:00.019-04:002009-09-23T12:32:25.550-04:00WCC, DD and TPG<div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;">Anything but mediocre...that's what sums up my eats in good old <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Watertown</span>! typically we tend to cook <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">alot</span> and eat <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">alot</span> of snacks when we visit my parents...but this time around we had quite a bit of visiting and eating out to do! Not that I am complaining in the least :).</span></div><div><span style="color:#6600cc;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;">So I thought I would take the time to highlight some of my favorite eats/spots in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Watertown</span>.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;">I should start by mentioning that my Dad is a big golfer so in the summertime he spends quite a bit of time at the local <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Watertown</span> Golf Club! Instead of fighting him on it we decided to join him for dinner post golf game. We may or may not have gotten there early to partake in some <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">pre</span>-dinner cocktails!</span></div><div><span style="color:#6600cc;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color:#6600cc;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">Also important to note that we don't typically eat at the golf club because...well we weren't that impressed with the food. UNTIL NOW...one of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">erin's</span> (and my) favorite people in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Watertown</span> is now the chef at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Watertown</span> Country Club and boy oh boy can you tell. David <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Boucher</span> (gotta give him a name shout out) does an amazing job with the food. You know the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">restaurant</span> is good when even the side salad before dinner is impressive. His amazing wife, Alice Jean, makes all of the deserts...and of course we took advantage of that as well. Let's just say...the picture does not do his cooking justice!</span><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373966186241875522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SpQpxh3oXkI/AAAAAAAAAoM/erLo9gjtCOk/s200/watertown+country+club+food.jpg" border="0" /></span></div><div><span style="color:#6600cc;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Another tradition when visiting <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Watertown</span> is having breakfast</span> at a local favorite and past employer of <span style="font-size:85%;">mine: </span></span><a href="http://www.tinpangalley.com/"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;">Tin Pan Galley</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#6600cc;"> They have the most amazing breakfast ever and the line around the block on the weekends speaks for it's self. YUM. I always get the same thing: Eggs Rosalie <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373965129629888626" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SpQo0Brs8HI/AAAAAAAAAn0/JIj3Rz5voOo/s200/tinpan+1.jpg" border="0" />, but this trip I decided to go with</span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SpQo6ov_11I/AAAAAAAAAn8/8pvIKKVuQAM/s1600-h/tinpan+2.jpg"><span style="color:#6600cc;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373965243196102482" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SpQo6ov_11I/AAAAAAAAAn8/8pvIKKVuQAM/s200/tinpan+2.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#6600cc;"> their Breakfast Wrap which is basically eggs <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">rosalie</span> in a wrap! So good. They offer about five different types of homemade toast, the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">home fries</span> are crispy and fresh and they always have <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">delicious</span> fresh fruit too! We try to hit Tin Pan up during the week because the crowds are far more <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">manageable</span>! They are probably most famous for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">their</span> stuffed french toast, and they always have amazing specials. Everything seems so <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">gourmet</span>...<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">especially</span> for breakfast! Foodies Paradise. They have a great patio and it has a beautiful stone bar and live music on Friday nights. Its pretty much perfect.</span></span><br /></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;">Finally after a week filled with eats and fun I have to mention this amazing Cake that my Uncle Danny made <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">erin</span> and I (and my dad) to congratulate us on our engagement.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373967216527419378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SpQqtf-2J_I/AAAAAAAAAos/TdUtdS1qGm4/s200/danny+davis+cake.jpg" border="0" /> His cakes are <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">incredible</span>. The frosting is <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">delicious (i think its almond flavored)</span> and he always has the best decorations! I have a feeling he will be getting a call from the wedding planner (aka me) in the near future.</span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;color:#6600cc;">Thanks Uncle Dan!!</span></div></div>katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15963693909009998389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7625035662784217186.post-39727162748419193942009-08-10T12:14:00.016-04:002009-09-09T13:21:12.057-04:00Sucessful Salmon Burgers<span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff6666;">On to cooking with my dad who I think makes just about anything taste good (he's even had me liking venison before...awhile ago that is :).</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff6666;">I love to cook with him. Although I love me some veggies and he is definitely a meat guy...he also is the first one to try just about anything, loves interesting and exotic foods just as much as I do and indulges me in my crazy healthy substitutions . not without comment however :). </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff6666;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff6666;">He also knows my culinary taste pretty well so when he mentioned that he wanted to attempt homemade salmon burgers...well you can just imagine my excitement! I quickly consulted my go-to-site (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">eatingwell</span>.com) and found this gem of a recipe:</span><br /><a href="http://http//www.eatingwell.com/recipes/salmon_burgers_with_green_goddess_sauce.html"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#990000;">Salmon Burgers with Green Goddess Sauce</span></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff6666;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff6666;">Let me just say that there are a ton of salmon burger recipes out there. So many in fact that it got a bit overwhelming. I choose this one because I thought it was a good simple recipe with ingredients i was familiar with and production that seemed just as simple.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff6666;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff6666;">We started by opting to get fresh salmon from the Lobster Man in our town (basically a truck with fresh seafood...YUM). After consulting my dad he thought we should add both the onion and scallion option so I went to work. My dad took the skin off the salmon and honestly the most intimidating part was chopping it up. The first thing on the recipe clearly states "<em>The key to perfect salmon burgers is to handle the fish delicately: don't <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">overseason</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">overhandle</span> or overcook it. "</em> Since i was in charge of the first two I was just a bit nervous...</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ff6666;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#ff6666;">After successfully completing the chopping I set to make the burgers. My sister Jenny (also a GREAT cook!) helped me scour the burgers (or separate into equal parts) and thankfully supervised the patty making process (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">ie</span> told me when the patties were good </span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SpQqYkO87vI/AAAAAAAAAoc/Tw2mpFqfYbc/s1600-h/salmon+burgers.jpg"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff6666;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373966856891461362" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SpQqYkO87vI/AAAAAAAAAoc/Tw2mpFqfYbc/s200/salmon+burgers.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#ff6666;">looking). again, I didn't want to "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">overhandle</span>" the salmon. After all patties were made and safely in the fridge we hit our first snag....I FORGOT TO ADD THE CILANTRO. Now if you haven't cooked with cilantro you may not know that its quite a potent flavor. So if a recipe calls for it chances are it a large flavor profile in the dish...what to do? My mom suggested just putting a bit on top of the burgers and pushing it in, but these burgers were on the delicate side. Jenny voted for reforming the patties...we went with Jenny's idea and good thing because the cilantro was great! (by the way if you aren't a cilantro fan feel free to leave this out...we just all love <span style="font-family:verdana;">it!)</span></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="color:#ff6666;"><span style="font-size:85%;">We prepped the burgers so far in advance that they had plenty of time to sit together in the fridge before the grill master (dad) came home. i think this helped the flavors come together as well as the patties!</span><br /></span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SpQqhrWQSOI/AAAAAAAAAok/MTKGCPZDPEg/s1600-h/burger+with+dad.jpg"><span style="color:#ff6666;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373967013419960546" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SpQqhrWQSOI/AAAAAAAAAok/MTKGCPZDPEg/s200/burger+with+dad.jpg" border="0" /></span></a></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff6666;">The final step was out of my hands, thank goodness, when dad came to grill them up. I still haven't really attempted using a grill (thanks to living in an apartment my whole adult life) so i left that up to him. He did a great job! (not that we were ever worried).</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#ff6666;">I also threw together the </span><a href="http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/green_goddess_sauce.html"><span style="color:#ff6666;"><span style="color:#009900;">Green Goddess Sauce</span> </span></a></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff6666;">On to the critics reviews: </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff6666;">Erin - also had the option to have a beef burger...one bit of the salmon and she was hooked! She LOVE it and claims this was one of her favorites i have EVER MADE!!!!!</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff6666;">Mom - does not eat salmon. i repeat does not eat salmon....LOVE IT TOO!!!!!!</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff6666;">co chef Jenny and Dad loved theirs as well! We had actually made beef burgers because we weren't sure of success of these and no on touched them! We actually had to split the last salmon burger amongst ourselves. </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff6666;">These burgers were so flavorful, perfectly cooked and incredibly fresh tasting!</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#ff6666;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">erin</span> and i loved the green goddess sauce but my dad has a strong aversion to Fat free mayo :) so he wasn't the biggest fan...</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff6666;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#ff6666;">Honestly these are a must make for anyone and everyone! I would typically say "if you like salmon/fish" but my mom hates is and she actually ate half a burger!</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#ff6666;">They took a bit more time and care then some of my recipes but they were well worth the worry!</span><br /></span>katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15963693909009998389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7625035662784217186.post-74979264367012616872009-08-10T12:13:00.007-04:002009-09-09T12:50:01.215-04:00Blueberry tart! and homemade goodness<span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#3333ff;">I love being home. I love what i eat when I come home. Most of all I love cooking with both my mom and dad when I am home. growing up both my parents cooked and my mom can certainly bake with the best of them. While planning meals for the masses we opted to throw in a few deserts along the way. As we all know blueberries are ridiculously amazing in the summer time (both in price AND taste) and my mom makes homemade blueberry squares that are simply a.maze.ing. They are basically homemade cake with fresh blueberries tossed in.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#3333ff;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#3333ff;">Bringing my own style to the kitchen I wanted to try <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Eatingwell's</span> </span><a href="http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/blueberry_tart_with_walnut_crust.html"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#3333ff;"><span style="color:#993300;">Blueberry Tart with Walnut Crust!</span> </span></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SpQqDzmzW8I/AAAAAAAAAoU/l9zHipMFH4c/s1600-h/blueberry+tart.jpg"><span style="color:#3333ff;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373966500240776130" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SpQqDzmzW8I/AAAAAAAAAoU/l9zHipMFH4c/s200/blueberry+tart.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#3333ff;">Tart's have always somewhat intimidated me but with my mom's help I figured i couldn't go wrong. As I began to read the recipe i realized just how easy this seemed. I had all the necessary ingredients and I set to work!</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#3333ff;">I did not have a "tart pan", but a pie pan worked perfectly fine. In fact this was...easy as pie!</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#3333ff;">Super super simple and delicious I might add! The blueberries were a perfect pairing with the creamy filling and the drizzle of fresh maple syrup on the top added the perfect amount of sweetness to the dish. YUM!</span><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;color:#3333ff;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#3333ff;">Alongside both the dishes we wanted to make fresh ice cream with their ice cream maker (fancy right?!)</span><a href="http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/blueberry_tart_with_walnut_crust.html"><span style="color:#3333ff;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373967484563766770" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SpQq9GfsPfI/AAAAAAAAAo0/W7G1rFxSWZ0/s200/yogurt+ice+cream.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#3333ff;">...so why not try the low fat version as well? um....not so great. The picture looks good and this is in face what the real ice cream turned out to look like as well. But the taste...not so much. Honestly it tasted like cold, frozen, plain yogurt...<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">hmmm</span>. My sister did say that this could be tasty as a breakfast with some fruit or granola! I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">definitely</span> agree, just not sweet enough to satisfy a desert craving.</span></p></span><span style="color:#3333ff;"><br /></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;color:#3333ff;">I think everyone tried a bit of each...except my picking eater of a brother who just tried...MINE. and he loved it! Thanks Will for the vote of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">confidence</span> :). I will make you dessert anytime!</span>katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15963693909009998389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7625035662784217186.post-7502336813952904542009-07-27T13:34:00.008-04:002009-08-25T14:07:42.649-04:00ENGAGED!!!<span style="color:#cc33cc;"><span style="font-size:85%;"> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373958680549527970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SpQi8o_IEaI/AAAAAAAAAnU/N4NVRQWJLrY/s200/cork+engagement.jpg" border="0" /></span><span style="font-size:85%;">Yes, yes the blog title (and picture) I'm sure gave it away...WE ARE ENGAGED.</span><br /><br /></span><div><div><div><div><span style="font-size:85%;color:#cc33cc;">Although that has nothing to do with food it's my blog. I did in fact eat and drink that day...so why not document it :)!!! I'm sure you (and by you I mean my two followers and the random people that might stop on by) won't mind. It's rather romantic.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;color:#cc33cc;">The day started off with a morning run and upon returning erin informed me that we would be going to the </span><a href="http://www.towerhillbg.org/"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#33cc00;">Tower Hill Botanic Garden</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;color:#cc33cc;">. sounded good to me. It was actually super close to our apartment. We drove in and it was absolutely beautiful. They have a ton of trails that you can take as well as well as gardens, orchards and an amazing view of Mt.Wachusett. Erin had said she wanted to walk around the grounds and then maybe get a bite to eat in their cafe...or a drink perhaps. she mentioned that on Sunday's they have live piano music on the patio so it sounded good to me! After taking in the grounds we spotted an amazing swing hanging from a huge tree in the middle of a field...all i can say is I am SO glad that I made the somewhat muddy trek to the swing! </span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;color:#cc33cc;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-size:85%;color:#cc33cc;">A proposal ensued and so did alot of smiles!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#cc33cc;">After an ample amount of time taking pictures of my amazing ring!!!! </span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SpQjBhqzR2I/AAAAAAAAAnc/zbYvQOuntpM/s1600-h/blueberry+soup.jpg"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#cc33cc;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373958764484577122" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SpQjBhqzR2I/AAAAAAAAAnc/zbYvQOuntpM/s200/blueberry+soup.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#cc33cc;">we decided to in fact take </span></span><span style="font-size:85%;color:#cc33cc;">in the piano music and have a celebratory drink on the patio! They serve their own "tower hill label wine" and offered an amazingly fresh menu. Erin picked a veggie wrap with hummus and fresh fruit (see why i said yes??!!!) and I opted for the fresh <span style="color:#3333ff;">blueberry soup</span>. </span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;color:#cc33cc;">Check out that presentation:</span></div><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SpQjHzToRzI/AAAAAAAAAnk/tFW3ShuCkWc/s1600-h/nashoba+and+ring.jpg"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#cc33cc;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373958872298440498" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SpQjHzToRzI/AAAAAAAAAnk/tFW3ShuCkWc/s200/nashoba+and+ring.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-size:85%;color:#cc33cc;">After a great meal we didn't want the celebrating to end so we decided to head to one of our favorite spots...</span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.nashobawinery.com"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#ff0000;">Nashoba Valley Winery</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;color:#cc33cc;">. We have actually discussed getting married here, it's so beautiful, so why not open a bottle of Pinot Gris (a new addition to their line-up!) and show off my new ring! (there was alot of this ring sneaking into fingers this day....;) The weather was perfect to enjoy a bottle on the patio. And make some phone calls to inform some friends and family of our news!</span></div><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Still not wanting the fun to end we headed home where we opened our bottle of </span><a href="http://www.schramsberg.com/wines/blancdeblancs.html"><span style="color:#cc9933;">Schramsberg Blanc de Blanc</span></a><span style="color:#cc33cc;"><span style="color:#cc9933;">s</span>...we had of course been saving this for a "special occasion"!</span></span> <div><span style="color:#cc33cc;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373959153332221506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SpQjYKPTdkI/AAAAAAAAAns/rA1Tcdwx2G4/s200/opening+scharmsburg.jpg" border="0" /><span style="font-size:85%;">Garnished with strawberries we toasted to the day...can't wait for a million more!</span></span></div></div></div>katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15963693909009998389noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7625035662784217186.post-12408794287585235052009-07-20T12:05:00.002-04:002009-08-25T11:03:31.188-04:00Steamed Mussels and Banana Ice Cream...YUM<span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#330099;">Okay so these are two SEPARATE dishes, don't worry! and sadly they were so delicious that the camera ate the photos...erin just said that means we have to make it again!</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#330099;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#330099;">I'll start with the mussels. I was craving something light and summery yet yummy and satisfying. My mind immediately went to fish but after perusing the fish counter at the local supermarket I decided to challenge myself to make mussels. A favorite for both erin and I! We usually always order mussels out at a restaurant because lets face it...anything that comes in a shell is a bit intimidating to cook! something I may have failed to mention is that although erin is quite willing to try just about anything I attempt, she is rather suspicious of anything that needs to be cooked a certain way in order to avoid a certain food poisoning issue! So I was hoping she would trust my culinary (or googling) abilities with this one and dig in.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#330099;">I asked the seafood lady how many mussels we would need for two and she recommended a pound! skipping to the end we totally didn't need that much but the bags were already filled so I think she gave me the smallest one.</span><br /><span style="color:#330099;"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">After jetting home with the smell of the ocean in my car I threw the mussels in the fridge and began googling.</span> <span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">Of course there were numerous mussel recipes to choose from but alot of them had similar preparations and techniques. </span></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;color:#330099;">All of the recipes I found stated to: Always wash the mussels! They actually have brushes that you can buy (they wash clams, oysters etc.) but you can also just use the rough side of a sponge.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;color:#330099;">I had a bottle of white wine open in the fridge and wanted to use that to steam the mussels in. due to my love of ordering the mussel dish on the menu I opted to throw in some sauteed garlic, shallots and parsley to season the wine. research told me to let the mussels cook/steam in the broth for about 8 to 10 minutes or until they had opened up. (if they don't open up...they are NOT good!) </span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;color:#330099;">I prepped everything and then when erin came home I turned the heat on and let them pop (well not literally pop...but open up in the pan)</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;color:#330099;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;color:#330099;">I served them along with some french bread and white wine! YUM. they were light, easy and delicious. Perfect for a hot summer night.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;color:#330099;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#330099;">We of course had to have something sweet a bit later, and that's where the banana ice cream comes in! I am not a huge fan of ice cream, I would rather eat cake...or chocolate. But erin LOVES ice cream, and in the summer is the perfect ice cream weather. I had seen this "</span><a href="http://www.choosingraw.com/this-post-will-change-your-life/"><span style="color:#ff6600;">change your life</span></a><span style="color:#330099;">" blog post and knew it was a must try!! READ THIS POST...seriously what could be easier? freeze two bananas...put them in a food processor...hit start...watch it spin for five minutes. ENJOY!</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;color:#330099;">Now something to note, that many other "attempters" have as well, the bananas go through stages from frozen to shredded to finally creamy. Be patient. it will work.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;color:#330099;">The results. good. now I am not freaking out because again I am not a HUGE ice cream lover, and my huge ice cream lover said it was good, but had a "strange" aftertaste. We aren't quite sure if it has anything to do with my 1950 style food processor though :). I think we will be trying it again soon!</span>katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15963693909009998389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7625035662784217186.post-36043186128232557562009-07-07T13:07:00.004-04:002009-08-25T13:11:25.069-04:00Latin Quinoa Dinner<span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#993300;">My poor erin is now officially a grad student. I say "poor" because her lack of a social life is now in full bloom! I decided to take this opportunity to make myself useful by resorting to a 50's housewife and promptly return from work with groceries and dinner fixins. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#993300;">The star ingredient on tonight's menu: </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quinoa"><span style="color:#993300;">Quinoa</span></a><span style="color:#993300;">!</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#993300;"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">I have been waiting to try this "grain" for quite sometime and I had an inkling that erin would be a fan as well. Quinoa looks almost like couscous and seemed to be utilized in recipes quite similarly. It is also a great source of protein for vegetarian diets, which I happen to sorta follow.</span><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"> I did some research and found a recipe on Eatingwell that look simple and scrumptious! </span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#993300;">I give you: </span><a href="http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/quinoa_with_latin_flavors.html"><span style="color:#ff0000;">Quinoa with Latin Flavors</span></a></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;color:#993300;">Of course changes were made, all in effort to enhance the dish. I decided to add shrimp to make this more of a "main dish" and left out the peptias because I just didn't have any on hand. I also cut the recipe in half because we didn't need portions for 6! No oil, as normal...and I cooked the quinoa in fat free chicken broth. Other than that it was pretty straightforward...unfortunately my camera did not corporate! The pictures were pretty and colorful, but lost :(.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;color:#993300;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;color:#993300;">The flavor of the cilantro and lime really came through in this dish and the quinoa has such an amazing texture, much more interesting than rice or pasta! I can't wait to use this grain in so much more.</span><br /><a href="http://www.suite101.com/reference/quinoa_recipes"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#993300;">Check these out!</span></a>katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15963693909009998389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7625035662784217186.post-4624086746132155352009-07-01T10:20:00.004-04:002009-07-29T10:32:59.693-04:00Gimmie SMORE!<span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#993300;">So if you live in Boston, have visited the area or just love the weather channel you will know that our summer around here has been anything but beachy weather. With that said, what is a girl to do in the mid-summer, stuck inside, while it's raining...with a gas stove?<br /></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#993300;">Make Smores!</span><br /><p><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#993300;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355877789636432866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2AvhzpJ4b8U/SlPmeRevE-I/AAAAAAAAAlU/w0ZKWSw3ABI/s200/Digital+113.jpg" border="0" />While we were luck enough to be at the beach...we were not able to spend much time spent outside, but we refused to let the summer traditions just melt away. So Erin, Molly and I opted to try our hand at stove made Smores. I must say, they turned out great...here is our recipe for success:</span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#993300;">Step 1: assemble fixins. open bag of marshmallows. unwrap the six pack of chocolate bars that of course you needed to purchase even though just 3 of you are making these and unwrap the low-fat graham crackers. I also recommend placing the desired chocolate amount on the graham cracker.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#993300;">Step 2: find kabob skewers that will make for "indoor branches" to use over your open oven flame.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#993300;">Step 3: turn stove on to desire heat. Isn't this great? you can turn it up if you are a lover of burnt marshmallows, or keep it on "blue flames" to really brown it up.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#993300;">Step 4: cook marshmallow</span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#993300;">Step 5: place marshmallow on one half of cracker over the chocolate. place other cracker on top of marshmallow and pull the skewer out.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="color:#993300;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Step 6: EAT AND REPEAT!</span></span></span></p>katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15963693909009998389noreply@blogger.com1