Monday, February 28, 2011
Easy Enough for a Man...Tasty Enough for a Woman
So not to get all sappy and talk about my husband being perfect and doing the neener neener thing cause seriously I had to buy my own flowers yesterday. But I do have to say that he did get quite a few brownie points when I came home from work and there was a note on the counter that said "chicken that I made is in the fridge." But we aren't just talking about any chicken we are talking about chicken heaven on earth. His cousin sent this recipe last week and its chicken with shallots in a cream/wine/lemon sauce...OMG its an orgasm on a plate...can I say that in a blog? Hell its 2011 I can say that, right? So back to my husband...distracted again...ya see we are on opposite schedules so I work a normal persons schedule and he goes to work at 3pm...so we communicate during the week exclusively via text message and notes...romantic ay. Hell if he continues to cook like this who cares if I talk to him just keep cooking man!
When I first met him we were total polar food opposites. He was the grab a big mac on the way to work guy and I was the same way I am now. I want quality food, low in calories unless its to die for and then I will use the calories for amazing food. He was the lets go to Chili's for a Friday night date and I was like hell no I want something more classy....he thought cheese whiz was cheese...do I need to say more? However, over the last few years I think he has become even more of a food snob than I am. And he has become a damn good cook...I can put any recipe in front of him and he follows directions well and is willing to cook anything. He will read restaurant reviews on-line and he raves about amazing restaurants we go to. When I first met him he thought wine came in colors-white, red and pink...ok maybe not that bad his ex-wife was from Napa for god sakes...but he has truly become a wine connoisseur ensuring that he drinks certain labels, varietals and vintages now...love him.
We have the best Friday night tradition of sitting down with a glass of really good wine...Friday is not the night to experiment with unknown wines...and we just talk about our week. Due to our schedules we do not see each other from Monday morning until Friday so those nights are our times to catch up and talk about the randomness of our week...be it work, weekend plans, gossip or just politics...like what really is going on in Libya...come to find out last Friday neither one of us were really sure but we pieced together something similar to the truth. Hmmm...oh thats right I love food and wine...not politics.
So here is the Chicken with Shallots recipe...easy enough for a man...tasty enough for a woman
***Sorry no pictures I ate it and thought about photos later ***
4 boneless chicken breasts (6-8 oz each) the recipe calls for skin on but we used skinless because we couldn't find skin on chicken breasts
kosher salt and freshly ground pepper-for those of you who haven't used kosher salt it totally makes a difference (E, want to vouch for that?)
3 T vegetable or canola oil
1/2 cup dry white wine-yes you can drink the rest while you cook
1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (3 lemons)-if you don't have one of those lemon squeezer things buy one
1/4 cup minced shallots (1 large)
3 T heavy cream
4 T unsalted butter, diced at room temperature
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees
Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels and sprinkle them generously on both sides with salt and pepper. In a 12" cast iron skillet (another kitchen must have) heat the oil over medium heat for 2 minutes, until it begins to smoke. Place the chicken breasts, skin side down, in the skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes without moving, until golden brown.
Using tongs, turn the chicken breasts skin side up, place the skillet in the oven, and roast for 12-15 min, until the chicken is cooked through
Meanwhile, in a med saute pan, combine the white wine, lemon juice, and shallots and cook over med high heat for about 5 min, until only 2 T of liquid remain in the pan. If it reduces too much, add an extra splash of white wine or water (so drink your wine slowly in case you need a little more in your sauce). Add the cream, 1 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp pepper and bring to a full boil. Remove from the heat, add the diced butter and swirl the pan until the butter is incorporated. Don't reheat or the sauce will "break"
Sprinkle with salt and serve the chick hot with the sauce spooned over it.
When I first met him we were total polar food opposites. He was the grab a big mac on the way to work guy and I was the same way I am now. I want quality food, low in calories unless its to die for and then I will use the calories for amazing food. He was the lets go to Chili's for a Friday night date and I was like hell no I want something more classy....he thought cheese whiz was cheese...do I need to say more? However, over the last few years I think he has become even more of a food snob than I am. And he has become a damn good cook...I can put any recipe in front of him and he follows directions well and is willing to cook anything. He will read restaurant reviews on-line and he raves about amazing restaurants we go to. When I first met him he thought wine came in colors-white, red and pink...ok maybe not that bad his ex-wife was from Napa for god sakes...but he has truly become a wine connoisseur ensuring that he drinks certain labels, varietals and vintages now...love him.
We have the best Friday night tradition of sitting down with a glass of really good wine...Friday is not the night to experiment with unknown wines...and we just talk about our week. Due to our schedules we do not see each other from Monday morning until Friday so those nights are our times to catch up and talk about the randomness of our week...be it work, weekend plans, gossip or just politics...like what really is going on in Libya...come to find out last Friday neither one of us were really sure but we pieced together something similar to the truth. Hmmm...oh thats right I love food and wine...not politics.
So here is the Chicken with Shallots recipe...easy enough for a man...tasty enough for a woman
***Sorry no pictures I ate it and thought about photos later ***
4 boneless chicken breasts (6-8 oz each) the recipe calls for skin on but we used skinless because we couldn't find skin on chicken breasts
kosher salt and freshly ground pepper-for those of you who haven't used kosher salt it totally makes a difference (E, want to vouch for that?)
3 T vegetable or canola oil
1/2 cup dry white wine-yes you can drink the rest while you cook
1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (3 lemons)-if you don't have one of those lemon squeezer things buy one
1/4 cup minced shallots (1 large)
3 T heavy cream
4 T unsalted butter, diced at room temperature
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees
Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels and sprinkle them generously on both sides with salt and pepper. In a 12" cast iron skillet (another kitchen must have) heat the oil over medium heat for 2 minutes, until it begins to smoke. Place the chicken breasts, skin side down, in the skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes without moving, until golden brown.
Using tongs, turn the chicken breasts skin side up, place the skillet in the oven, and roast for 12-15 min, until the chicken is cooked through
Meanwhile, in a med saute pan, combine the white wine, lemon juice, and shallots and cook over med high heat for about 5 min, until only 2 T of liquid remain in the pan. If it reduces too much, add an extra splash of white wine or water (so drink your wine slowly in case you need a little more in your sauce). Add the cream, 1 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp pepper and bring to a full boil. Remove from the heat, add the diced butter and swirl the pan until the butter is incorporated. Don't reheat or the sauce will "break"
Sprinkle with salt and serve the chick hot with the sauce spooned over it.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Listen To My Body
So as a child my Mom always told me that I needed to listen to my body. Sure I was raised by a 1970's hippie Mom who loved organic food way before it was cool, was a vegetarian because she thought it was better for you not because she needed a cause and avoided things like pesticides, dyes and preservatives before science said they were bad for us. Way to go Mom! She was actually very cutting edge when I reflect back and I truly do appreciate all of the things she exposed me to...the Humboldt County culture is not what I am referring to here. She always tried to give me new experiences and let me make decisions for myself....yes I was that irritating child who at the age of five acted like I was 25...in vocabulary, social interactions and independent thought.
However, she did try to raise me to listen to my body and base my eating habits on what my body was telling me. So let me tell you a few things that my body has told me over the years.
1. I hate bananas. I always tell people that I think I ate too many as a child. But I hate everything about them-taste, smell, texture and sight. And I have learned that revisiting some foods doesn't mean that you will like them more....it just means you still don't like them.
2. Always be willing to try new food but its ok if you don't like everything...and just because a food is the latest trend doesn't mean it has to be a trend for you. Such as raw squid at a local sushi restaurant. I read an article about how its trendy and such a great delicacy and so very yum. It was the nastiest, slimiest food that has ever touched my mouth. Sometimes you just need to chalk up some foods as an interesting experience or just read about them but do not put them in your mouth.
3. If you drink too much alcohol you will feel it the next day and there is nothing worse than waking up in the morning and telling yourself that you will never drink again...because even when you are saying it you know you are lying to yourself. Seriously just don't even try to reason with yourself when you have a hangover and don't make promises you know you won't keep.
4. Don't try to eat foods again once you threw them up. For example, at the age of 2ish I threw up powdered donuts all over my Grandpa. He deserved it as my Mom never fed me anything with sugar, preservatives and artificial crap (see above) and while visiting with him he tried to give me my first donut experience. Needless to say he got what he deserved...baby vomit that resembled a snow storm...truly lovely. However, unfortunately once stuff comes up it just can't touch your lips again. So no powdered donuts or tofu hot dogs for me...dang it on the tofu hot dogs...because don't those sound damn appetizing.
5. Just because you are told that foods don't go together don't believe "those people" until you try it for yourself. For example, 2 weeks ago I ran a half marathon and at the end I was craving sugar and carbs. So the normal runner would drink Gatorade, eat some gu and maybe some oranges and bagels, right? Nope my body was telling me I needed fig newtons and beer...sounds like a nasty combination huh? Yet I must say I listened to my body...thanks Mom...and I ate my fig newtons (8 of them actually) and then went in search of a bar that was open at 10am and drank beer. I have to say this was the best I have ever felt after a half marathon...other than some nasty blisters on my feet...I felt like a million bucks.
Guess I better call it a night so let me end with a random fact because I love randomness. Did you all know that the first oatmeal cooking recipe was published in 1896? Ok Marl I am sure you knew that but for the rest of you did you know that?
However, she did try to raise me to listen to my body and base my eating habits on what my body was telling me. So let me tell you a few things that my body has told me over the years.
1. I hate bananas. I always tell people that I think I ate too many as a child. But I hate everything about them-taste, smell, texture and sight. And I have learned that revisiting some foods doesn't mean that you will like them more....it just means you still don't like them.
2. Always be willing to try new food but its ok if you don't like everything...and just because a food is the latest trend doesn't mean it has to be a trend for you. Such as raw squid at a local sushi restaurant. I read an article about how its trendy and such a great delicacy and so very yum. It was the nastiest, slimiest food that has ever touched my mouth. Sometimes you just need to chalk up some foods as an interesting experience or just read about them but do not put them in your mouth.
3. If you drink too much alcohol you will feel it the next day and there is nothing worse than waking up in the morning and telling yourself that you will never drink again...because even when you are saying it you know you are lying to yourself. Seriously just don't even try to reason with yourself when you have a hangover and don't make promises you know you won't keep.
4. Don't try to eat foods again once you threw them up. For example, at the age of 2ish I threw up powdered donuts all over my Grandpa. He deserved it as my Mom never fed me anything with sugar, preservatives and artificial crap (see above) and while visiting with him he tried to give me my first donut experience. Needless to say he got what he deserved...baby vomit that resembled a snow storm...truly lovely. However, unfortunately once stuff comes up it just can't touch your lips again. So no powdered donuts or tofu hot dogs for me...dang it on the tofu hot dogs...because don't those sound damn appetizing.
5. Just because you are told that foods don't go together don't believe "those people" until you try it for yourself. For example, 2 weeks ago I ran a half marathon and at the end I was craving sugar and carbs. So the normal runner would drink Gatorade, eat some gu and maybe some oranges and bagels, right? Nope my body was telling me I needed fig newtons and beer...sounds like a nasty combination huh? Yet I must say I listened to my body...thanks Mom...and I ate my fig newtons (8 of them actually) and then went in search of a bar that was open at 10am and drank beer. I have to say this was the best I have ever felt after a half marathon...other than some nasty blisters on my feet...I felt like a million bucks.
Guess I better call it a night so let me end with a random fact because I love randomness. Did you all know that the first oatmeal cooking recipe was published in 1896? Ok Marl I am sure you knew that but for the rest of you did you know that?
Monday, February 21, 2011
Crock Pots-Retro or Go To?
So I remember buying my first crock pot probably about 10 years ago. I remember going to the store and seeing all of these hideous looking contraptions with brown and tan leaf motifs...seriously who wants that in their kitchen, right? I remember thinking to myself...self, do you really need a crock pot? They are so a kitchen tool of the past! I remember scouring the shelves looking for one that I deemed acceptable to live in my house and I ended up purchasing a chrome looking number that has ended up being a blessing in disguise.
Over the past 10 years I have discovered that our predecessors knew what they were doing when they started using the crock pot. How can you go wrong when you throw some random stuff in a pot, hit the on button, walk away and come back to a house that smells like heaven and a home cooked meal on the table? I have truly discovered all of the benefits of the crock pot over the last few years especially as my work schedule gets more hectic and my metabolism gets slower due to age...hence causing me to be more conscientious of what I eat. I have used my crock pot for entertaining even making scalloped potatoes for Xmas in it this past year...worked so well! I have used it over night....it was great to go to bed with an apple crisp in the crock pot and to wake up in the middle of the night to the smell of cinnamon and sugar...best dreams ever. I am a soup fanatic and I have used my crock pot to make a plethora of random soups that are wonderful for left overs or multiple dinners. And of course the crock pot still remains the perfect utensil for making things such as corned beef or pot roast...which I crave on those few days a year when it gets cold around here.
So I have to say the crock pot may be retro but it is a tool that is totally going to stay in my kitchen. Last night I made a pork/burrito bowl. It was super easy and really good and good for you.
Here is the link to the recipe: Slow Cooker Pork Burrito Bowl
Over the past 10 years I have discovered that our predecessors knew what they were doing when they started using the crock pot. How can you go wrong when you throw some random stuff in a pot, hit the on button, walk away and come back to a house that smells like heaven and a home cooked meal on the table? I have truly discovered all of the benefits of the crock pot over the last few years especially as my work schedule gets more hectic and my metabolism gets slower due to age...hence causing me to be more conscientious of what I eat. I have used my crock pot for entertaining even making scalloped potatoes for Xmas in it this past year...worked so well! I have used it over night....it was great to go to bed with an apple crisp in the crock pot and to wake up in the middle of the night to the smell of cinnamon and sugar...best dreams ever. I am a soup fanatic and I have used my crock pot to make a plethora of random soups that are wonderful for left overs or multiple dinners. And of course the crock pot still remains the perfect utensil for making things such as corned beef or pot roast...which I crave on those few days a year when it gets cold around here.
So I have to say the crock pot may be retro but it is a tool that is totally going to stay in my kitchen. Last night I made a pork/burrito bowl. It was super easy and really good and good for you.
Here is the link to the recipe: Slow Cooker Pork Burrito Bowl
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Gender Differences
So I think I discovered another gender difference. Yesterday was one of the seven days out of the year that it rains here in sunny So Cal. And last Sunday when my husband heard it was supposed to rain on Friday and that we had the day off together he got a gleam in his eye and he said,"You know what I want to do on Friday?" I am thinking hmmm cuddle on the couch or go to the movies or ok he is a guy we all know what he is thinking of, but alas all of those are wrong. Nope he wants to BBQ he tells me. Really? You want to BBQ in the rain?
Yesterday morning I start looking for a BBQ steak recipe and I keep thinking to myself I am so getting stuck with take out pizza because he is so going to change his mind, but whatever. However, I started thinking about the last 6 years together and I started thinking about other rainy day bbqs in our past. This is not a new obsession of his as I remember his bachelor days when he was living in his apartment and he would bbq in the rain on his balcony/patio area. Ladies, does your men have this same obsession? And don't you think this is a gender thing? Because the last thing I would have thought of yesterday was "dang it is raining cats and dogs better get the galoshes so I can bbq."
So last night at 7pm he gets his flashlight so he can hook up his new propane tank. Yes, he was probably the only person at the gas station yesterday filling up his propane tank as well. He moves the bbq as close to the patio cover as possible without being unsafe and grabs his bbq tools and starts grilling the steak...with a glass of wine and a smile...as the rain comes down around him. It made me laugh as I stood in the comfort of my kitchen warm, cozy and shaking my head.
All joking aside I do have to say the bbq steak recipe I found was really good. And the good news is you can also make it on a sunny day-like today. Enjoy!
Here is the recipe link: Spicy Skirt Steak with Avocado Dipping Sauce
Side note: After growing up in Nor Cal where it rains for 40 days and 40 nights I love how it rains for a day here and you wake up the next morning and the sun is shining and everything is beautiful.
Yesterday morning I start looking for a BBQ steak recipe and I keep thinking to myself I am so getting stuck with take out pizza because he is so going to change his mind, but whatever. However, I started thinking about the last 6 years together and I started thinking about other rainy day bbqs in our past. This is not a new obsession of his as I remember his bachelor days when he was living in his apartment and he would bbq in the rain on his balcony/patio area. Ladies, does your men have this same obsession? And don't you think this is a gender thing? Because the last thing I would have thought of yesterday was "dang it is raining cats and dogs better get the galoshes so I can bbq."
So last night at 7pm he gets his flashlight so he can hook up his new propane tank. Yes, he was probably the only person at the gas station yesterday filling up his propane tank as well. He moves the bbq as close to the patio cover as possible without being unsafe and grabs his bbq tools and starts grilling the steak...with a glass of wine and a smile...as the rain comes down around him. It made me laugh as I stood in the comfort of my kitchen warm, cozy and shaking my head.
All joking aside I do have to say the bbq steak recipe I found was really good. And the good news is you can also make it on a sunny day-like today. Enjoy!
Here is the recipe link: Spicy Skirt Steak with Avocado Dipping Sauce
Side note: After growing up in Nor Cal where it rains for 40 days and 40 nights I love how it rains for a day here and you wake up the next morning and the sun is shining and everything is beautiful.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Mississippi Mud Cake
1 1/3 cup all purpose flour
1/4 t salt
2 cup sugar
1/2 baking cocoa
1 cup butter or margarine, melted (I told everyone it was low calorie...it was a lie)
4 eggs, beaten
1 t vanilla extract (love the smell of this stuff but why does it taste nasty raw)
2 cup mini marshmallows
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1/3 cup baking cocoa
2/3 cup milk
16 oz box powdered sugar (recipe calls for it sifted but I don't sift anything)
Stir together first 4 ingredients in a large bowl. Add melted butter, eggs and vanilla, stirring until smooth. Spread batter into a greased 13x9 pan. Bake at 325 degrees for 30 min or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Sprinkle hot cake with mini marshmallows.
Combine 1/4 cup butter, 1/3 cup baking cocoa and milk in medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly with a wire whisk, and boil one minute. Remove from heat and stir in powdered sugar. Immediately pour chocolate mixture over marshmallows. Let cake cool completely on a wire rack. Cut into squares.
Picture of the cake
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=195143603848387&set=a.124264307602984.16595.100000582473507&theater
1/4 t salt
2 cup sugar
1/2 baking cocoa
1 cup butter or margarine, melted (I told everyone it was low calorie...it was a lie)
4 eggs, beaten
1 t vanilla extract (love the smell of this stuff but why does it taste nasty raw)
2 cup mini marshmallows
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1/3 cup baking cocoa
2/3 cup milk
16 oz box powdered sugar (recipe calls for it sifted but I don't sift anything)
Stir together first 4 ingredients in a large bowl. Add melted butter, eggs and vanilla, stirring until smooth. Spread batter into a greased 13x9 pan. Bake at 325 degrees for 30 min or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Sprinkle hot cake with mini marshmallows.
Combine 1/4 cup butter, 1/3 cup baking cocoa and milk in medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly with a wire whisk, and boil one minute. Remove from heat and stir in powdered sugar. Immediately pour chocolate mixture over marshmallows. Let cake cool completely on a wire rack. Cut into squares.
Picture of the cake
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=195143603848387&set=a.124264307602984.16595.100000582473507&theater
Guess I Have Been Slacking...
So I hadn't realized how long it had been since I wrote on this until my BFF asked about it today. Oy when I signed on and saw October 2nd as my last post date I definitely felt like I had abandoned yet another project. Ok lets see if I can get my ass back in gear.
So let's start with Food New Years Resolutions:
1. Learn how to bake. I had a disastrous Xmas Eve as I was bound and determined to make homemade desserts for Xmas. I tried to make a pumpkin cheesecake-it fell. Tried to make a chocolate cake-I burnt it. Tried to make chocolate cake #2-worked well. Also realized on this Xmas Eve that my husband is a saint as he put up with me and my baking drama. How is it that someone who can cook can't bake worth shit is what I want to know? However, you will all be happy to know that I had a baking success today as I made a Mississippi Mud Cake last night and it seemed to be a success at work. Yay! Plus I also realized that if you screw up enough shit on Xmas Eve you have more of an excuse to drink wine during the holidays due to your baking stress.
2. Cook my husband dinner every night even though he is at work. Damn don't I sound like a 1950's housewife! And yes I even have the cute apron collection to go with that title. Too bad the little bastard works nights and the only one who sees me in my apron is my dog-Harley. And he is just in the kitchen laying on the floor waiting for me to drop something on his head. Anyway I thought this would be a good way to make sure we both eat healthier and let him know that I care...because as you all know I nurture through food...damn now I really sound like I need therapy.
3. Try some type of new food/restaurant/wine once a week. I will keep you posted on my progress.
4. And oh yes keep on running to try and save my figure from my love affair with food/wine. As you all know I run so I can eat. Like on Super Bowl Sunday I ran a half marathon however I am sure I completely exceeded the 1300 calories I burned as I craved and ate a ton of fig newtons and beer as soon as I finished. Yes, I know that sounds like the nastiest food combination on the face of the earth however after 13.1 miles, 7 nasty blisters and being soaked in sweat through all of my clothes it tasted like absolute heaven at the time. Or oh yes the 5k last weekend where I bribed myself to run it with the thought of mimosas...and damn did it work...Marmalade Cafe...great mimosas...even though some people seemed to think my socks were absolutely hysterical.
Hope to be more consistent with my posts...peace out
So let's start with Food New Years Resolutions:
1. Learn how to bake. I had a disastrous Xmas Eve as I was bound and determined to make homemade desserts for Xmas. I tried to make a pumpkin cheesecake-it fell. Tried to make a chocolate cake-I burnt it. Tried to make chocolate cake #2-worked well. Also realized on this Xmas Eve that my husband is a saint as he put up with me and my baking drama. How is it that someone who can cook can't bake worth shit is what I want to know? However, you will all be happy to know that I had a baking success today as I made a Mississippi Mud Cake last night and it seemed to be a success at work. Yay! Plus I also realized that if you screw up enough shit on Xmas Eve you have more of an excuse to drink wine during the holidays due to your baking stress.
2. Cook my husband dinner every night even though he is at work. Damn don't I sound like a 1950's housewife! And yes I even have the cute apron collection to go with that title. Too bad the little bastard works nights and the only one who sees me in my apron is my dog-Harley. And he is just in the kitchen laying on the floor waiting for me to drop something on his head. Anyway I thought this would be a good way to make sure we both eat healthier and let him know that I care...because as you all know I nurture through food...damn now I really sound like I need therapy.
3. Try some type of new food/restaurant/wine once a week. I will keep you posted on my progress.
4. And oh yes keep on running to try and save my figure from my love affair with food/wine. As you all know I run so I can eat. Like on Super Bowl Sunday I ran a half marathon however I am sure I completely exceeded the 1300 calories I burned as I craved and ate a ton of fig newtons and beer as soon as I finished. Yes, I know that sounds like the nastiest food combination on the face of the earth however after 13.1 miles, 7 nasty blisters and being soaked in sweat through all of my clothes it tasted like absolute heaven at the time. Or oh yes the 5k last weekend where I bribed myself to run it with the thought of mimosas...and damn did it work...Marmalade Cafe...great mimosas...even though some people seemed to think my socks were absolutely hysterical.
Hope to be more consistent with my posts...peace out
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