Glass Teapot on a Stand

I'm learning to rest...and part of that means slowing down to breathe...and perhaps sipping some tea!  Check out this cool teapot from Uncommon Goods, and the herbal tea kit, too!  Maybe if it sits on the counter on this cute stand, it will lure us to stop and sit a while....

Chorizo Hominy Soup

Soup tastes great on a cold night, and this chorizo-hominy soup is oh, so good - from Everyday with Rachael Ray!

You will need:

2 T olive oil
6 oz. chorizo sausage finely chopped
2 coarsely chopped carrots
2 coarsely chopped celery ribs
2 smashed cloves garlic
1 T cumin
1 32-oz chicken broth
1 29-oz can white hominy, rinsed
1/2 cup finely chopped cilantro
4 corn tortillas warmed

ln large saucepan, heat olive oil over med high heat, then add chorizo, carrots, celery and garlic - cook til veggies are slightly softened, about five min.  Add the cumin, cook and stir for about 3 min.  Stir in the broth and hominy and simmer for 20 min until veggies are tender.  Top with cilantro and serve with tortillas!

Modular Chic

Modular storage in the kitchen is the new thing, and these pieces from World Market are affordable and so cute, however many you choose to combine!  

Fondue for Two

I love fondue, and this cute set from Uncommon Goods looks like a great idea for Valentine's Day coming up in a couple weeks!  It got great reviews!

Lemon Pepper Wings

I love lemon pepper wings at Wing Stop, and my sister shared with me her recipe for lemon pepper wings to make at home - they are a winner!

One large pkg chicken wings
lemon juice
olive oil
fresh minced garlic
lemon pepper
onion powder - quite a bit
chili powder - dash
salt

Sorry, no exact measurements!

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Mix the lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, lemon pepper, onion powder, chili powder and salt together in a bowl (taste it to see if you have it right!)

Place the wings on a baking sheet and baste them with the mixture.

Bake about 20 minutes, turn them and baste again.

Bake another 20-25 minutes - until browned and done.

Serve with Ranch dressing!

Valentine's Macarons!

Found this cute idea for sending your sweetie for Valentine's Day - 12 macarons that have the candy heart sayings on them!  $35 for the box from Dana's Bakery!

Tasty Salsa!

This chutney salsa has peaches and cranberries in it, it's award-winning, and it's super tasty - worth ordering!  Check out the website for Kala's Kuisine!

Silicone Popcorn Maker

I enjoy Lakeside Collection as they have really cute things for a great price - and everything I've ordered from them I've been pleased with!

Check out this silicone popcorn maker for the microwave, only $5.95!

Stir-Fry Time!

An easy stir-fried rice dish - my husband said was delicious!

Take 1lb thin chicken breasts and slice into small strips.  Heat olive oil in a big skillet and stir fry the chicken (seasoned with S&P) until just starting to brown.

Meanwhile, boil two bags of brown rice according to directions (I used HEB boxed rice bags).

I used a pre-made stir fry vegetable package (broccoli, carrots and snowpeas) from the produce section and added the entire contents to the skillet with the chicken and seasoned (I used Bill's Seasoning).  I also added half a chopped white onion.

Stir fry until the veggies are tender.

Open the bags of brown rice and add to the chicken and veggies, press down, and let it sit a few minutes while the rice browns a bit, then stir and do the same again.  Pour soy sauce over the entire mixture each time, being careful to taste and not over season.

(I scrambled a couple of eggs in another pan, since I don't like eggs, and stirred them in after I got my plate served!)

Note:  Continue to season and taste this dish - careful to not get it too salty!

Serve with a slice of wheat toast!

Little's Carry-All Caddy

What cute organizing bags!  My friend bought these and used them to declutter under her sink - and how wonderful it looks!  She got them from this website - thirty-one!   Check it out!

These are organized into skin care, nail care, hair care and makeup!

Zucchini Sticks!

Fried zucchini sticks are so delicious and crunchy and fun!

In a cast iron skillet place canola oil about 1/2 deep and heat over med-hi heat.  Line a bowl with paper towels.

Cut into half two zucchinis, then cut each half into sticks about 1/4 inch thick and 3 inches long.

In one bowl, mix one egg and milk.  In another bowl, place flour.  Dip the sticks in the egg mixture, then the flour, then the egg mixture, then the flour.

Place the sticks carefully into the hot oil, careful not to crowd the pan.  Fry until golden brown, then turn.  When both sides are browned, use a slotted spoon to remove them and place on the paper towels to drain, and immediately sprinkle with kosher salt.

Serve with Ranch dressing.

Bonfire Log

I saw these bonfire logs at HEB and then found them on line for sale too, at Home Depot.  What a cool thing to have for your fire pit, or your next campout or winter picnic!  Watch the video of how it works here!

Fish & Buttons

Need a fun craft for your toddlers?  Here's a couple of activities to keep them busy, while you assist them in making a Valentine for a friend, their parents, or just to hang in their room!

For the Fish:

2 pieces of cardstock
Wiggly Eyes
Stickers
Glue

Cut out a large heart for the body, and three smaller ones for the lips and the tail.  Help them glue the fish together.  Allow the kids to place the eyes on the fish, and then decorate with the stickers, as they wish.

For the Button Heart:

A bag of assorted buttons (I got  mine at Hobby Lobby)
A piece of card stock
Glue


Cut a large heart, and  spread the glue in concentric hearts from the center outward, one row at a time.

Allow the kids to choose their buttons and place, until the heart is filled.  Allow to dry thoroughly.

It was fun to see which buttons they chose!

Valentine's Day Picnic

A fun idea for the kiddos for a Valentine's Day picnic:

Purchase little heart bowls from your local crafts store or grocery store, for holding the goodies.

Make a PB &J sandwich, then cut in the shape of a heart and plop right in the heart bowl.

Melt milk chocolate and dip pretzel logs, then dip in sprinkles.

And finally, let the little ones watch you pop the corn, and let them pour in the M&M's!

Spread out a blanket and the party begins!

Jars for Drinks

Found these on the shelves at Marshalls this week.  You can find them on line, as well.  What great little drinking mugs for your  next party - super bowl - Oscars?  Whenever!  And they were $10 or under for each set, including the cute straws!

Rice Bars with PB & C

I'd call these the adult version of rice krispie bars - because these are decadent and delicious - two layers of chocolate and crunch!

The recipe was sent to me from my sister, and it's taken from Martha Stewart at this link

There's no baking involved, it's all done on the stovetop!

Quinoa Salad

My sister had this salad at a restaurant and noted the ingredients, and went home and recreated using this recipe - and I LOVE IT!

Quinoa Salad: (quinoa, celery, red and or green onion, cilantro, carrots, black beans, cranberries, olive oil, lemon and S&P)

·        Make quinoa according to package directions - season.

·        Cut up celery, onion (red and or green) cilantro and carrots. ( I bought the carrots shredded already)

·        Rinse a can of black beans and put on paper towels to dry

·        Mix all together and add some cranberries

·        Dressing: olive oil, lemon and S&P

T  That's it!  I ate it with a few multi-grain Sun Chips and it was so filling, healthy, and tasty!

Black Bean & Carrot Quesadilla

For this tasty quesadilla, you'll need

Two large flour tortillas
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 carrot - grated
juice of a lime
1 small jalapeno, seeded and chopped
2 slices Deli American cheese, sliced
Butter

Place the beans, carrots, jalapeno and lime juice in a bowl and mash with a fork until you have refried bean consistency.  Add salt and pepper to taste.

Spread bean mixture on half of each tortilla, top with slices of cheese, and fold in half.

Heat butter in skillet or griddle and cook the quesadillas until browned, then flip and brown the other side, on med heat to allow the cheese to melt and the beans to heat.

Using a pizza cutter, cut each one into three wedges and sprinkle with kosher salt.

Delish!

Quick Closet

My son-in-law put this together in one evening, and it is just perfect for their kids' room!

This closet unit includes two 6-cube cubbies from Target.  Install the bottom one, then place a wooden shelf (one foot deep) across, the length of the closet, bracketing it to the walls on either end.  Place the next cubbie on top, and another shelf.  He got wooden dowels, cut them each into two pieces and screwed them in, as well.  (wood from Home Depot).

The whole unit cost about $150, way cheaper then purchasing one readymade!

It was so fun organizing it!

Fun Sodas

My husband loves specialty sodas....so our kids got him several...from World Market!  What a great idea!  These are great for hostess gifts or for your next night having friends over!

Oatmeal Walnut Cookies

My friend's mom, Marjorie Johnson, is in her 90's and is a blue-ribbon winner multiple times over, at the Minnesota State Fair, and...she has her own cookbook - /Blue Ribbon Baking.

Everything I've tried from her cookbook is fabulous.

These cookies are no exception!

Biscuits

What a GREAT and EASY biscuit!  We made them tonight for our party where we had biscuits and jam, and jammed to the music....

Preheat oven to 425 degrees

4 cups bisquick

1 cup sour cream

1 cup 7-Up

1 stick melted butter

mix bisquick, sour cream and 7-UP  - knead and fold using bisquick (i used flour) to make it a not-so-sticky dough, then pat out, and using biscuit cutter (i used a drinking glass)  - cut out 12 biscuits.

in a 9X13 pan, pour the melted butter, then place the 12 biscuits in the pan 4 X 3.

bake about 12 minutes or til biscuits are brown.

wow, are they good!

Shells & Chickpeas!

A Delicious Pasta Dish - and so easy to make!

Boil shell pasta (12 oz) in salted water til al dente.

In a deep skillet, heat 1 T olive oil and add 4 oz diced pancetta or bacon, and 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes, cook 3-4 minutes, stirring constantly, until pancetta is lightly browned.

Add 2 cans drained and rinsed chickpeas and cook 1 minute.  Add one 24 oz marinara sauce and 1 tsp kosher salt and cook til heated thru.

Stir in 2 tsp lemon zest, and 3 T fresh lemon juice.

Drain pasta, add to skillet and toss with sauce.

Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese!

Pan Roasted Root Veggies

This recipe is from Barefoot Contessa's cookbook called Back to Basics, and honestly, I could have eaten the entire skillet full!

Dice these into one-inch pieces: 

1 white turnip (unpeeled)
2 carrots
8 brussel sprouts (just halve these)
2 small parsnips (peeled)
1/2 celery root  (peeled)
2 celery ribs

You'll also need:

1/2 stick (4 T) unsalted butter
4 sprigs of fresh thyme
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
a large skillet (12 inch) with a tight fitting lid

Melt butter in skillet, then add in the turnip, carrots, sprouts, celery root and parsnips, thyme, salt and pepper - toss with the butter.  Place the lid on the veggies and cook over low heat 10 minutes.  Add celery and stir, then place the lid back on and cook 5 more minutes, until all veggies are tender.  Taste for seasons and serve hot.

Two Lunches!

Two lunch ideas for you!

Grilled green chile cheese sandwich:

Broil one Poblano and one Anaheim chile for 10 minutes, wrap in foil for 10 minutes, then peel and seed.  Sprinkle with salt.

Meanwhile grate cheddar and mozzarella and pile on two slices of wheat bread, then top with the chiles (sliced).  Spray bread with nonstick cooking spray, and grill in a pan about 3-4 minutes on each side.

Hummus wrap:

On a tortilla or flatbread, spread hummus, thinly sliced turkey and ham, fresh spinach, and roll up!

That's it - two lunch possibilities for the rest of your work week ahead!

Love These Bags!

Cute bags for spring....or for now...!  From lulus.com.

Pretty Bowl

Instead of leaving your stovetop blank when not in use, opt for a pretty decorate bowl in an accent color for your kitchen.  My kitchen is gray, mustard, and orange, so I found this pretty bowl at TJ Maxx.  Shop around at Home Goods too, and find one that makes you smile as you place it front and center in your kitchen!

Cooking Classes

Did you know William Sonoma offers FREE cooking classes and tastings!?  We attended one and loved it.  Check out their schedule and classes near you!

For Next Year

Barnes and Noble always has cute totebags around Christmas time, and if you buy them AFTER Christmas you can get them so cheap!

They make great gifts for next year, or to give your kids as they open, so they have a bag to take home their goodies inside....  They're big and super sturdy!

These are now $4.97 on line now, and a great bargain! They might still have them in the store, too - but hurry - before they are gone!

Soup for Winter

This soup recipe is from Mario Batali's new cookbook America Farm to Table and it was super delish.

Sweet Pepper and White Bean Soup:

Bring 4 cups chicken stock to a boil.

In a Dutch oeven, heat olive oil and add 1 large spanish onion diced, 4 fresh sage leaves, and 1/4 pound pancetta diced.  Cook and stir 5 min til onion is slightly browned.

Mix in 2 T tomato paste, 3 seeded diced red peppers, and cook and stir 2 more min.

Add the boiling stock to the Dutch oven, return to boil, reduce heat and simmer 5 min.

Transfer in batches the mixture to a blender and puree til smooth, then pour back into pot where you heated the stock.

Add 2 15-oz drained and rinsed cannellini white beans and bring to boil then simmer and cook 5 minutes.

Season with S&P.

Ladle into bowls and serve with olive oil drizzed on top and freshly cracked pepper!

(We ate it with grilled cheese and they were a perfect pair!)