Over the summer I made a new recipe after going to visit Club33 with a friend at Disneyland. If you don't know what I'm talking about, google it! This is the recipe I used for Truffled Mac n' Cheese. It was SO amazing I had to try it. The first time I made it it took me about an hour and a half to make because I very meticulously chopped everything to be as equal and tiny as possible, not reading ahead to realize I was going to strain out all of the vegetables from the beginning. I think next time I could cut it down to 45 min-an hour. I'm going to try again tonight.
My husband tends to not eat leftovers. Ever. So whenever I find a recipe he enjoys and will eat again the next day I count as a success. Last time I made it to take over to a friend's house so he got whatever was leftover.
Here is the recipe from the website listed above:
-Using 2 Tablespoons of butter sauté 4 oz. of shallots (right around two heads) with 2 oz. of button mushrooms for a couple of minutes. I couldn't find button mushrooms at my local grocery store so I used regular brown mushrooms.
-Add 6 oz. of Chardonnay wine and reduce until almost all of the liquid has evaporated. The first time I used a cheap Sutter Homes Chardonnay. Tonight I'm using Sonoma Loeb Chardonnay- it is a delicious buttery chardonnay that I think will compliment the mac n' cheese perfectly!
-Add 16 oz. of Chicken stock and reduce liquid by half over medium heat.
-Add 8 oz. (a Half Pint) of Heavy Cream. Bring to a boil and reduce to a light simmer for 15 minutes.
- Strain through a fine sieve and place back into pot.
- Around this time I start to boil the Water for the macaroni.
-Over low heat, slowly whisk in 24 oz. of Velveeta Cheese in stages until fully incorporated. (Yes, you read that correct... a WHOLE 24 ounces of Velveeta!)
-Add in .81 t of White Truffle Oil with salt and pepper.
-I used one whole bag of Large Elbow Macaroni and mix it into the cheese mixture after cooked.
-At this point the recipe called to shave Black Truffles on top of the macaroni, I didn't have any and didn't want to spend that much on dinner so I didn't. It still tastes amazing!
Enjoy!
Sunday, December 1, 2013
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Austenland by Shannon Hale
As you can see from my previous post, I haven't done much reading for relaxation awhile. But, I hadn't read the Bible in about 2 weeks (I was behind, I'm caught up, more on that later) and we went to the bookstore upon our return from vacation. I bought three books, and this one was the shortest, so I thought I would start with it.
Genre: Fiction Pages:194
Let me start by saying I have not read any Jane Austen books cover-to-cover, and I have not watched any of the movies... My roommate in college, M, watched the Colin Firth Pride and Prejudice, so I have seen parts of it, but never the whole thing. I know, this apparently makes me not a real girl...
This book starts out with Jane (yes... she even share her name) being single and obsessed with Colin Firth a la BBC's Pride and Prejudice. She's dated some terrible boys, but she holds all men to the standard of Jane Austen heroes. None, can compare, obviously. Her great-aunt leaves her trip to "Austenland" (not actually what it's called in the book, but you get the gist) in her will, and Jane decides to go, one last Hurrah before she swears off men altogether and gives up the Jane Austen Fantasy.
This place is a three week retreat of sorts. There are three other ladies that are there as well, everyone else is an actor and they pretend they are from the Austen-era (circa early 1800s). The women are supposed to fall in love, and the actor's make them feel cherished. Jane can't really get into the whole "acting/play" part of the scenario and spends the first quarter of the book fretting and just letting go and enjoying herself. There are really four men that Jane has talked to: Capt. East (A captain who was already engaged at one point to one of the other girls), Mr. Nobley (a snobbish brute), Martin (the Gardner), and Colonel Andrews (a very handsome, witty gentleman). She gets to know each of the men in turn (no... not like THAT!) and she finally finds herself and what she wants by the end of this. There is also some friction with the lady who runs the retreat, as she knows Jane will never return because she couldn't afford to. She's basically tries to ruin the trip for Jane and get her kicked out (because of the no electronics rule).
All in all, I would give this book 4/5 stars for what it is. It's a fun, quick, summer read that was predictable, but I still smiled at the end. :)
Bible Update: I am more than half finished (good thing, since we are more than half way through the year. I just started Ecclesiastes last night. Thus far, my favorite Book has been the Book of Proverbs).
Genre: Fiction Pages:194
Let me start by saying I have not read any Jane Austen books cover-to-cover, and I have not watched any of the movies... My roommate in college, M, watched the Colin Firth Pride and Prejudice, so I have seen parts of it, but never the whole thing. I know, this apparently makes me not a real girl...
This book starts out with Jane (yes... she even share her name) being single and obsessed with Colin Firth a la BBC's Pride and Prejudice. She's dated some terrible boys, but she holds all men to the standard of Jane Austen heroes. None, can compare, obviously. Her great-aunt leaves her trip to "Austenland" (not actually what it's called in the book, but you get the gist) in her will, and Jane decides to go, one last Hurrah before she swears off men altogether and gives up the Jane Austen Fantasy.
This place is a three week retreat of sorts. There are three other ladies that are there as well, everyone else is an actor and they pretend they are from the Austen-era (circa early 1800s). The women are supposed to fall in love, and the actor's make them feel cherished. Jane can't really get into the whole "acting/play" part of the scenario and spends the first quarter of the book fretting and just letting go and enjoying herself. There are really four men that Jane has talked to: Capt. East (A captain who was already engaged at one point to one of the other girls), Mr. Nobley (a snobbish brute), Martin (the Gardner), and Colonel Andrews (a very handsome, witty gentleman). She gets to know each of the men in turn (no... not like THAT!) and she finally finds herself and what she wants by the end of this. There is also some friction with the lady who runs the retreat, as she knows Jane will never return because she couldn't afford to. She's basically tries to ruin the trip for Jane and get her kicked out (because of the no electronics rule).
All in all, I would give this book 4/5 stars for what it is. It's a fun, quick, summer read that was predictable, but I still smiled at the end. :)
Bible Update: I am more than half finished (good thing, since we are more than half way through the year. I just started Ecclesiastes last night. Thus far, my favorite Book has been the Book of Proverbs).
Saturday, March 23, 2013
The Bible.
I am currently embarking a long journey. I decided in January that I should finally read The Bible. If you didn't know, I am an Episcopalian (which is Christian). I was baptised Lutheran, and then Confirmed Episcopal when I was thirteen. I like the fact that most of the Episcopals I meet tend to be more open minded than a lot of other denominations (and way more than non-denominations). As Robin Williams put it "All the religion with half the guilt [a la Catholicism]). I tend to not wear my religion on my sleeve and be overt about it, because I think it is a private and personal matter, if you are curious and/or if you ask, I'll talk about it, but otherwise, I have never found it to be my duty to shove my beliefs down your throat. I find it un-Christian of people to be so judgemental, and it makes me sad- especially as that is the very thing that tends to turn people away from religion in the first place. That being said, here is why I started The Bible.
I am 29 years old, and I haven't tried to read the Bible cover to cover since I was in third grade (so almost twenty years). It was hard to get through then, I think I only made it halfway-three quarters of the way through the Old Testament. Growing up I went to Sunday School, was a part of youth group, and a member of the church choir. I went to church practically EVERY Sunday and several Wednesdays in high school. When I went away to college I didn't have a car my freshman year, and not being from a place that had public transportation I didn't really figure out how to work the bus system until almost a year later. Then, once I had a car I was up late every night and Sundays were my day to sleep in, or we were at Ultimate tournaments, so I just stopped going to church. When I went home for breaks I would go to church with my parents, but I had basically stopped. I still prayed every night, and consider myself a religious person. I just, during college, didn't find the need to attend church. When we moved to Vegas I tried to find a new church, that was hard. The church I grew up in was very traditional, and was a gothic style building. They don't have buildings like that here. Everything is stucco and, let's be honest, ugly. I couldn't bear attending church when it wasn't what I was used to in Wyoming or Washington. I still wasn't going, then after my parents moved here I tried going with them a few times, but their Priest was horrible. The last time I went with them was a Christmas Eve service, where the priest spent his sermon talking about negative things, and Satan. Really?! During the Christmas Eve Service where everyone is supposed to be happy for the birth of Christ? I liked the organ at the church, and the choir was decent, but the people were not kind, or welcoming, and I just didn't like the feel of the entire thing. It was very unwelcoming, and I felt wasn't worth the 45 minute drive to get to.
So, after a lot of searching I found another church. The Priest was a lady who was very nice, and gave good sermons/homilies. My issue with this place was it was in an office building... However, I was away from the church long enough that I decided this didn't matter (and the 15 minute drive made it that much more enticing). After I had been going off and on for about 5 months the Priest was moved and now we have several different priests cycling through. Some have been great, one has been "eh", but none have been even close to as bad as the one at my parents church (who, it has to be said is no longer there. They just hired a new, young Priest who is supposed to be fantastic). I haven't decided if I will stay at this church or check out the one in old Henderson (who one of the Priests I really like- that is his main church), plus that one is more of a Church style building.
At any rate back to the Bible... (I know this was a long trek). I decided I am now old enough to read the book cover to cover. Plus, I am tired of people quoting scripture to me, and me not being positive if what they are saying is actually factual. I have several friends who I think are wonderful people, and they happen to be gay. I don't think that's a problem. So, honestly, I am reading the Book to figure out my own interpretation and be able to hold my own when people quote at me. I am about 400 pages in. I am trying to do 3 verses a night, and in doing that I can finish the Book by the end of the year.
Now you know. :) So that is why there haven't been any new book postings. This is what I'm reading currently, and it is going to take me all year to finish.
I am 29 years old, and I haven't tried to read the Bible cover to cover since I was in third grade (so almost twenty years). It was hard to get through then, I think I only made it halfway-three quarters of the way through the Old Testament. Growing up I went to Sunday School, was a part of youth group, and a member of the church choir. I went to church practically EVERY Sunday and several Wednesdays in high school. When I went away to college I didn't have a car my freshman year, and not being from a place that had public transportation I didn't really figure out how to work the bus system until almost a year later. Then, once I had a car I was up late every night and Sundays were my day to sleep in, or we were at Ultimate tournaments, so I just stopped going to church. When I went home for breaks I would go to church with my parents, but I had basically stopped. I still prayed every night, and consider myself a religious person. I just, during college, didn't find the need to attend church. When we moved to Vegas I tried to find a new church, that was hard. The church I grew up in was very traditional, and was a gothic style building. They don't have buildings like that here. Everything is stucco and, let's be honest, ugly. I couldn't bear attending church when it wasn't what I was used to in Wyoming or Washington. I still wasn't going, then after my parents moved here I tried going with them a few times, but their Priest was horrible. The last time I went with them was a Christmas Eve service, where the priest spent his sermon talking about negative things, and Satan. Really?! During the Christmas Eve Service where everyone is supposed to be happy for the birth of Christ? I liked the organ at the church, and the choir was decent, but the people were not kind, or welcoming, and I just didn't like the feel of the entire thing. It was very unwelcoming, and I felt wasn't worth the 45 minute drive to get to.
So, after a lot of searching I found another church. The Priest was a lady who was very nice, and gave good sermons/homilies. My issue with this place was it was in an office building... However, I was away from the church long enough that I decided this didn't matter (and the 15 minute drive made it that much more enticing). After I had been going off and on for about 5 months the Priest was moved and now we have several different priests cycling through. Some have been great, one has been "eh", but none have been even close to as bad as the one at my parents church (who, it has to be said is no longer there. They just hired a new, young Priest who is supposed to be fantastic). I haven't decided if I will stay at this church or check out the one in old Henderson (who one of the Priests I really like- that is his main church), plus that one is more of a Church style building.
At any rate back to the Bible... (I know this was a long trek). I decided I am now old enough to read the book cover to cover. Plus, I am tired of people quoting scripture to me, and me not being positive if what they are saying is actually factual. I have several friends who I think are wonderful people, and they happen to be gay. I don't think that's a problem. So, honestly, I am reading the Book to figure out my own interpretation and be able to hold my own when people quote at me. I am about 400 pages in. I am trying to do 3 verses a night, and in doing that I can finish the Book by the end of the year.
Now you know. :) So that is why there haven't been any new book postings. This is what I'm reading currently, and it is going to take me all year to finish.
Friday, January 4, 2013
Taco Casserole (low fat)
I made this tonight for dinner with some friends. I found this recipe (from who knows where) YEARS ago when Paul and I lived in an apartment up in Las Vegas. I was pleasantly surprised with how good it tastes. I remembered liking it, but not loving the low-fat cheese. Disclaimer: I DO NOT LIKE COTTAGE CHEESE. I'm not sure if you can substitute Ricotta Cheese, but maybe? That being said, you can't tell there is cottage cheese in the casserole. It may seem like a lot, but I promise you won't notice. My husband doesn't like it either, and he still went in for leftovers (which he never does)! Anytime he eats leftovers, I consider that recipe a keeper. :) Enjoy!
Ingredients:
1 lb of chicken (give or take)
1/2 Cup of diced onions
1/2 Cup of diced peppers
You can use anytime of peppers you like. I don't like spicy so I just used sweet bell peppers- Orange, Yellow, and Red.
1 Clove of garlic. (I used 2 tonight)'
1 package Taco Seasoning
1 8oz. can/jar of taco sauce
1 Can of fat-free refried beans
1 Cup Low-fat or Fat Free Sour Cream
1 Cup low-fat or Fat Free Cottage Cheese
1 Cup low-fat tortilla chips OR tortilla shells. I've used both, but I prefer soft tortilla shells
1 Cup low-fat cheese
Okay, I really don't like how lowfat cheese melts, so I used regular cheese.
Pre-heat the oven to 400 degrees
In a skillet cook the chicken (you can use diced or shredded). I dice my chicken because my husband doesn't like shredded foods. He's weird, I know.
While the chicken is cooking warm-up the refried beans
Once the chicken is cooked, add the onion, peppers, and garlic. Once they are softened add the Taco Seasoning and Taco sauce. *I usually add pepper, too.
Grease an 8x13 pan. Layer the pan:
Chips/tortilla shells
Spread on the warmed-up refried beans (it makes it easier to spread)
Add the meat mixture
I put some cheese on top, but you don't have to
Add another layer of chips/tortilla shells to cover the top.
Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.
Take out the casserole and add the rest of the cheese on top of the chips/tortilla shells, put back in the oven.
Once the cheese is melted (usually around 5ish minutes) I pull it out and let it sit.
Enjoy! :) I usually serve with a salad.
Ingredients:
1 lb of chicken (give or take)
1/2 Cup of diced onions
1/2 Cup of diced peppers
You can use anytime of peppers you like. I don't like spicy so I just used sweet bell peppers- Orange, Yellow, and Red.
1 Clove of garlic. (I used 2 tonight)'
1 package Taco Seasoning
1 8oz. can/jar of taco sauce
1 Can of fat-free refried beans
1 Cup Low-fat or Fat Free Sour Cream
1 Cup low-fat or Fat Free Cottage Cheese
1 Cup low-fat tortilla chips OR tortilla shells. I've used both, but I prefer soft tortilla shells
1 Cup low-fat cheese
Okay, I really don't like how lowfat cheese melts, so I used regular cheese.
Pre-heat the oven to 400 degrees
In a skillet cook the chicken (you can use diced or shredded). I dice my chicken because my husband doesn't like shredded foods. He's weird, I know.
While the chicken is cooking warm-up the refried beans
Once the chicken is cooked, add the onion, peppers, and garlic. Once they are softened add the Taco Seasoning and Taco sauce. *I usually add pepper, too.
Grease an 8x13 pan. Layer the pan:
Chips/tortilla shells
Spread on the warmed-up refried beans (it makes it easier to spread)
Add the meat mixture
I put some cheese on top, but you don't have to
Add another layer of chips/tortilla shells to cover the top.
Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.
Take out the casserole and add the rest of the cheese on top of the chips/tortilla shells, put back in the oven.
Once the cheese is melted (usually around 5ish minutes) I pull it out and let it sit.
Enjoy! :) I usually serve with a salad.
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Mom's Peanut Butter Cookies
Ingredients:
1/2 Cup of Shortening (My Mom uses Butter flavored Crisco)
1/2 Cup of Peanut Butter
1/2 Cup of granulated sugar
1/2 Cup of Packed Brown Sugar
1 egg
1&1/4 Cups Flour
3/4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
Directions: Mix thoroughly shortening, peanut butter, sugar, brown sugar, and egg. Blend in baking soda, powder, and flour. Cover and chill for an hour or two. If you want chocolate chips added put them in after everything else is in. Use 1 package in a double recipe, if the mix is too dry after you have mixed it (dry flour in the bottom of the bowl) you can add another egg and mix until blended.
Heat oven to 375 degrees. Shape dough into balls. (I usually use a tablespoon to dip out and make the balls). Place 3 inches apart on lightly greased baking sheet. With a fork dipped in sugar, flatten in crisscross pattern. Bake 10-12 minutes or until set but not hard. Watch your oven the first couple of times so you don't burn them.
This says it makes about 3 dozen cookies, but I have never gotten that many so double the recipe. Then you should get between 4-5 dozen cookies.
These are seriously awesome! :) Enjoy! (I'll add pictures later)
1/2 Cup of Shortening (My Mom uses Butter flavored Crisco)
1/2 Cup of Peanut Butter
1/2 Cup of granulated sugar
1/2 Cup of Packed Brown Sugar
1 egg
1&1/4 Cups Flour
3/4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
Directions: Mix thoroughly shortening, peanut butter, sugar, brown sugar, and egg. Blend in baking soda, powder, and flour. Cover and chill for an hour or two. If you want chocolate chips added put them in after everything else is in. Use 1 package in a double recipe, if the mix is too dry after you have mixed it (dry flour in the bottom of the bowl) you can add another egg and mix until blended.
Heat oven to 375 degrees. Shape dough into balls. (I usually use a tablespoon to dip out and make the balls). Place 3 inches apart on lightly greased baking sheet. With a fork dipped in sugar, flatten in crisscross pattern. Bake 10-12 minutes or until set but not hard. Watch your oven the first couple of times so you don't burn them.
This says it makes about 3 dozen cookies, but I have never gotten that many so double the recipe. Then you should get between 4-5 dozen cookies.
These are seriously awesome! :) Enjoy! (I'll add pictures later)
Chicken Enchiladas
My mom is an amazing cook. Seriously, I'm not just saying that because she's my mom. I'm saying it because it's true. She doesn't even use a cook book half the time, she just comes up with her own recipes, or does variations of a recipe to suit her needs. She used turkey (a lot) instead of chicken, but this version uses chicken. Feel free to subtitute for whatever meat you want (or don't want).
1 lb Chicken breast
1 jar of beef gravy
1 can of enchilada sauce
1 4 oz. can of diced green chiles
1 onion
Tortilla Shells
Shredded cheese
Directions:
Cook meat (shred if desired)
fry onions
add the rest of the ingredients (minus meat) to warm up
dredge tortilla shells through the soupy mix to get sauce on all sides
Add meat to "soup" mix.
Use a slotted spoon to spoon in mixture.
We always layered the tortilla shells in this order (if you don't want to roll them)
Shells
Mixture
Cheese
Shells
Mixture
Cover with aluminum foil
Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes
Near the end, add more cheese on top of the mixture.
1 lb Chicken breast
1 jar of beef gravy
1 can of enchilada sauce
1 4 oz. can of diced green chiles
1 onion
Tortilla Shells
Shredded cheese
Directions:
Cook meat (shred if desired)
fry onions
add the rest of the ingredients (minus meat) to warm up
dredge tortilla shells through the soupy mix to get sauce on all sides
Add meat to "soup" mix.
Use a slotted spoon to spoon in mixture.
We always layered the tortilla shells in this order (if you don't want to roll them)
Shells
Mixture
Cheese
Shells
Mixture
Cover with aluminum foil
Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes
Near the end, add more cheese on top of the mixture.
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