Pioneer Woman - Crash Hot Potatoes

In honor of All or Nothing's release (shameless plug inserted here)

I'm posting this recipe for Pioneer Woman Potatoes. They just look AWESOME. I'm not overly sure that pioneer women had access to olive oil. IN ANY CASE...

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2008/06/crash-hot-potatoes/

I just love how this site is laid out, the images just make me want to reach in, and recreate this fantastic meal. I'm going to get some rib eyes tonight, a head of iceberg lettuce (does anyone eat iceberg lettuce anymore? We're totally romaine over here...)

At any rate -- Rachel loves beef. Ellie loves beef. Perry & I do, as well - so should be a fun, albeit expensive dinner for all. Shoot. Maybe I should go for flank steak. Any suggestions?

Let me know your thoughts!

Chicken Kabobs - a grilled delight!

Chicken Kabobs, Mashed Potatoes, and Roasted Veggies!

Well, tonight was Cinco de Mayo and we roasted chicken kabobs - in a lovely olive oil, white wine, and spice mixture.

I blended cayenne pepper, garlic salt, and cumin - and sprinkled it over cubed chicken breast, interspersed with diced red onion, green pepper, red pepper, gold pepper, and mushrooms.

Dredged it all in a mix of olive oil and white wine...

Grilled over med/hi flame - for about 10 minutes total, turning as needed. I tossed the mushrooms on separate - and grilled them just rolling around on the barbecue.

WONDERFUL flavors. Served up with instant mashed potatoes for a REAL treat. Girls picked at the veggies, ate the chicken & potatoes with their virgin margaritas (lemonade & mint leaves) We enjoyed, w REAL margaritas, of course! :) Happy Cinco de Mayo!

L.'Authentique - seriously???

Ok, so at the suggestion of the manager at the new Trader Joe's down the street, I tried this wine. I can't remember if it was $4 or $5, but whatever. Its a red table wine from France. Really bold, a little on the sweet side for a French wine. I thought it was ok on the first day. Today is the 3rd day it was open (vacuumed in the fridge) and when I tasted it today it was even sweeter. Very cherry. Verrrry bold. Then my mom tells me that French table wines are traditionally cut with water. WHAT? I've never heard of such a crazy thing, but I'm totally willing to try it. So I do. IT WAS FANTASTIC!!! I have no idea if this would work with another wine, but it made this glass refreshing. I really enjoyed drinking it with my salad and avocado egg rolls from cheesecake (it was such a takeout night tonight). Who knew??

Chicken Kabobs & Rice Pilaf... Yum!

Last night called for a barbecue. A perfect night for it, truly - warm, breezy, lovely. I got pre-made chicken kabobs, with green and red peppers, and red onion... I drenched them in my own mixture:

White Wine & olive oil, crushed garlic clove, sprig rosemary from rosemary bush by the front door. (drink rest of bottle with mineral water while barbecuing. :)

Perry was watching a baseball game. The girls were playing on their swing set - I only had to run out and push a time or two. Bliss.

The rice took about 20 minutes - truly, I'd prefer steamed white rice for next time. A fave of my mom & dad's, we really could do without the extra work.

I broiled a few slices of La Brea olive bread along with, and next time will make sure to toss a few mushrooms on the grill for some added flavor.

My FAVORITE summer time barbecue... Didn't even require extra sauce, which for Perry is a HUGE vote in my favor.

The girls ate dino chicken. THEY CHOSE DINO CHICKEN over grilled. *sigh*

At least they ate the veggies. ;-)

Do Cheap Wine Reviews Fit Here?

So I purchased this bottle of zin from Trader Joes on a total whim because it had a cool label and it was only $4.99. Unfortunately it was pretty bad and gave me a terrible headache the next morning to boot. So I started thinking, wouldn't it be great if there was a site that reviewed cheap wines from places like Trader Joes and Costco? I found a ton of them. The problem is the reviews are long winded and confusing. I think it would be more fun if we had our own personal reviews (like one from Ashley about the Costco wine she currently loves).

Now what do I do with 3/4 of a bottle of bad zin?

Terri's Famous Tuna Casserole

Last night Ken wanted something with Tuna - his suggestion was tuna sandwiches but I really wanted something more dinner like. Then he said, how about Tuna Casserole!?! So I called my mom and while we were on the phone, she gave me instructions. Dinner was a hit.

Of course my mom's super easy version involves using Campbell's Cheddar Cheese Soup, but since I can't have that, (and didn't have it on hand) she gave me the slightly more foodie recipe (can tuna casserole be a foodie dinner?) Everything is pretty flexible in terms of amounts so just make sure you taste as you go.

2 cups dried elbow macaroni (cooked)
2 cans of tuna (drained)
3 tbsp butter
1/2 cup chopped onions
3 tbsp flour
1.5 c milk
3 ounces of cheddar cheese shredded
3 ounces of freshly grated (not the kind in the can) parmesan cheese
1 tbsp dijon mustard
1/4 tsp powdered sage
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp salt

In a sauce pan (or the same pan you used for the macaroni) melt the butter and saute the onions on medium heat until they begin the carmalize. Add the flour to the mixture and cook for about a minute. Very slowly add the milk stirring the whole time. Once the milk is added and the sauce is smooth (or relatively smooth) add about 2 ounces of the cheddar cheese and about 2 ounces of the parmesan cheese. Stir until melted. Add the mustard, sage, garlic powder and salt to taste (keeping in mind that tuna is kind of salty to don't make it too salty. Combine the macaroni, sauce and tuna and transfer to a casserole dish. Top with the remaining cheddar cheese and bake in the oven at 350 until its bubbly (about a half hour). Serve with a nice crisp green salad! The leftovers are even better the next day!

Recipe For Life

It's a new year, and time to prioritize for all of us. This was an e-mail forward this morning that touched my heart - and seemed like a good recipe for moms dealing with finicky eaters...and stresses of every day life. Read it, and be blessed! Let's all make this recipe today, shall we? :)

1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
2. Talk to God about what is going on in your life. Buy a lock if you have to.
3. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, 'My purpose is to__________ today. I am thankful for______________
4. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
5. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, broccoli, almonds & walnuts.
6. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
7. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the present moment.
8. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.
9. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
10. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
11. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
12. You are not so important that you have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
13. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
14. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
15. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
16. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'
17. Forgive everyone for everything.
18. What other people think of you is none of your business.
19. GOD heals everything - but you have to ask Him.
20. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
21. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch!!!
22. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
23. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: I am thankful for_________. Today I accomplished______.
24. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.
25. When you are feeling down, start listing your many blessings. You'll be smiling before you know it.