There are very few things I am ok with collecting...recipes I can deal with!
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Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Baked Penne with Spinach, Roasted Peppers & Bacon
Ok, this one was not much of a success for me. I think I was in too big of a hurry and omitted too much.
Ingredients
16 oz. Pacific Natural Foods Roasted Red Pepper & Tomato Soup
2 cups 2% milk
4 Tablespoons butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 pound penne pasta (or ziti), cooked until tender, but still firm to the bite
1 package frozen chopped spinach, thawed & squeezed dry
3/4 cup chopped jarred roasted red peppers
1 1/2 cups cubed Provolone cheese
8 slices of cooked bacon, crumbled
1 1/2 cups shredded Parmesan cheese, divided salt & pepper to taste
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray 9x13-inch pan (or other 2 1/2-quart baking dish) with nonstick spray.
2. Prepare sauce: Heat soup and milk in a medium saucepan until small bubbles begin to form around the edges (just until hot). In a larger saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat. Add flour and stir well. Continue to cook, stirring, until thick and smooth, about 2 minutes. Slowly begin adding hot soup/milk mixture to the large saucepan, whisking constantly while adding. Sauce will start out lumpy and become smooth as the liquid is incorporated.
3. Assemble the dish: In a large bowl, toss cooked pasta with the sauce. Break apart the spinach with your fingers and add it to the bowl. Also add red peppers, provolone cheese and 3/4 cup of Parmesan. Stir until ingredients are evenly distributed. Pour the mixture into the prepared dish. Sprinkle with bacon crumbles and top with remaining Parmesan cheese. Finish with a good dose of freshly ground black pepper and a sprinkle of kosher salt.
4. Cover with aluminum foil. Bake 25 minutes. Uncover and bake until sauce is bubbling around the edges and the center is hot (about 10 minutes more). Remove from the oven and let cool for about 10 minutes before serving.
Usually when I edit recipes they turn out ok. This time, not so much. Here's what I did differently:
1. I used whole wheat penne.
2. Instead of frozen, chopped spinach, I sauteed fresh spinach. I think that the moisture in the frozen spinach might actually aid in keeping the dish moist. I just liked the idea of fresh spinach better.
3. I skipped the jarred roasted red peppers. I just wasn't feelin' it.
4. I couldn't find a block of provolone cheese, so I bought sliced provolove cheese and just used about 6 slices cut up.
5. I just eye-balled the parmesan cheese. (See, I told you I was in too big of a hurry.)
I shared the pasta at work the next day, and they were all kind enough to eat it and even compliment it. I think this one has potential.
Enjoy!
Original recipe (and picture) borrowed from RecipeGirl
Ingredients
16 oz. Pacific Natural Foods Roasted Red Pepper & Tomato Soup
2 cups 2% milk
4 Tablespoons butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 pound penne pasta (or ziti), cooked until tender, but still firm to the bite
1 package frozen chopped spinach, thawed & squeezed dry
3/4 cup chopped jarred roasted red peppers
1 1/2 cups cubed Provolone cheese
8 slices of cooked bacon, crumbled
1 1/2 cups shredded Parmesan cheese, divided salt & pepper to taste
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray 9x13-inch pan (or other 2 1/2-quart baking dish) with nonstick spray.
2. Prepare sauce: Heat soup and milk in a medium saucepan until small bubbles begin to form around the edges (just until hot). In a larger saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat. Add flour and stir well. Continue to cook, stirring, until thick and smooth, about 2 minutes. Slowly begin adding hot soup/milk mixture to the large saucepan, whisking constantly while adding. Sauce will start out lumpy and become smooth as the liquid is incorporated.
3. Assemble the dish: In a large bowl, toss cooked pasta with the sauce. Break apart the spinach with your fingers and add it to the bowl. Also add red peppers, provolone cheese and 3/4 cup of Parmesan. Stir until ingredients are evenly distributed. Pour the mixture into the prepared dish. Sprinkle with bacon crumbles and top with remaining Parmesan cheese. Finish with a good dose of freshly ground black pepper and a sprinkle of kosher salt.
4. Cover with aluminum foil. Bake 25 minutes. Uncover and bake until sauce is bubbling around the edges and the center is hot (about 10 minutes more). Remove from the oven and let cool for about 10 minutes before serving.
Usually when I edit recipes they turn out ok. This time, not so much. Here's what I did differently:
1. I used whole wheat penne.
2. Instead of frozen, chopped spinach, I sauteed fresh spinach. I think that the moisture in the frozen spinach might actually aid in keeping the dish moist. I just liked the idea of fresh spinach better.
3. I skipped the jarred roasted red peppers. I just wasn't feelin' it.
4. I couldn't find a block of provolone cheese, so I bought sliced provolove cheese and just used about 6 slices cut up.
5. I just eye-balled the parmesan cheese. (See, I told you I was in too big of a hurry.)
I shared the pasta at work the next day, and they were all kind enough to eat it and even compliment it. I think this one has potential.
Enjoy!
Original recipe (and picture) borrowed from RecipeGirl
Stir-fried Brussels Sprouts with Lemon & Parmesan
Oh, ick...brussels sprouts?!
Just kidding. I have only eaten brussels sprouts once before I made these, and they had been brought to a company potluck a few years ago by a sweet German woman. So, they were disguised as "good" using lemon, butter, and a few other ingredients... Well, this recipe is no different. They are delicious and they are hidden among cheese, bacon, and butter. Yum.
Ingredients
50 g pancetta or bacon, diced
1 Tablespoon olive oil
3 cup brussels sprouts, roughly chopped or shredded
1 lemon, both zest and juice
salt and pepper to taste
1 Tablespoon softened butter
2 Tablespoons Parmesan cheese, finely grated
Directions
1. In a large sauté pan over medium high heat,warm olive oil and add pancetta. Stir often, until pancetta begins to brown and crisp.
2. Add shredded sprouts and incorporate into the pancetta and oil, scrapping up any bit on the bottom of the pan. Cook over medium high heat, stirring often, until sprouts begin to wilt and turn bright green, about 7-9 minutes.
3. Squeeze the juice of a lemon over the pan, season sprouts with salt and pepper and taste. Sprouts should still be a little crunchy.
4. Remove from heat, and toss sprouts with butter, lemon zest, and Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.
Here's what I did differently:
1. The recipe calls for "50g" of pancetta. I just picked up a package at the grocery store and used the whole thing. I do recommend that you drain off some of the grease before you add the brussels to the pan.
2. I don't think you really needs an entire tablespoon of butter, after they've been cooked in pancettafat grease juice. That's your call.
Enjoy!
Original recipe (and picture) borrowed from Simple Bites
Just kidding. I have only eaten brussels sprouts once before I made these, and they had been brought to a company potluck a few years ago by a sweet German woman. So, they were disguised as "good" using lemon, butter, and a few other ingredients... Well, this recipe is no different. They are delicious and they are hidden among cheese, bacon, and butter. Yum.
Ingredients
50 g pancetta or bacon, diced
1 Tablespoon olive oil
3 cup brussels sprouts, roughly chopped or shredded
1 lemon, both zest and juice
salt and pepper to taste
1 Tablespoon softened butter
2 Tablespoons Parmesan cheese, finely grated
Directions
1. In a large sauté pan over medium high heat,warm olive oil and add pancetta. Stir often, until pancetta begins to brown and crisp.
2. Add shredded sprouts and incorporate into the pancetta and oil, scrapping up any bit on the bottom of the pan. Cook over medium high heat, stirring often, until sprouts begin to wilt and turn bright green, about 7-9 minutes.
3. Squeeze the juice of a lemon over the pan, season sprouts with salt and pepper and taste. Sprouts should still be a little crunchy.
4. Remove from heat, and toss sprouts with butter, lemon zest, and Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.
Here's what I did differently:
1. The recipe calls for "50g" of pancetta. I just picked up a package at the grocery store and used the whole thing. I do recommend that you drain off some of the grease before you add the brussels to the pan.
2. I don't think you really needs an entire tablespoon of butter, after they've been cooked in pancetta
Enjoy!
Original recipe (and picture) borrowed from Simple Bites
Shredded Tex-Mex Crockpot Chicken
I came across this recipe and was hesitant at first--all of those spicy ingredients had me a little nervous, seeing as how I have been accused of thinking ketchup is spicy...but, not to worry. I followed the recipe (almost) exactly and was delighted at the flavor (not spice) that resulted.
Once prepared, this chicken would be great in quesadilla, tacos, nachos, enchiladas, or like I ate it-- in soft tacos with all the fixins'.
Ingredients
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 1/4 teaspoon cumin
1 tablespoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon coriander
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/3 cup chicken broth
1/3 cup (packed) cilantro leaves, chopped
2 limes
1 large onion, chopped
1 jalapeno, seeded and minced
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon olive oil
Directions
1. Heat the oil in a medium sized sauté pan. Add the onion and sauté for 5 minutes. Add the cumin, chili powder, coriander, paprika and garlic and sauté two more minutes. Deglaze the pan with the chicken broth making sure to scrape up any browned bits. Turn off and set aside.
2. Sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper. Add to crock pot. Squeeze the lime on top, add the cilantro, jalapeno, and pour the onion and garlic mixture over top.
3. Cook on low for 3-5 hours, or until cooked through (different crock-pots cook at varying heats) and tender. Remove chicken breasts from the crock pot, shred and place in a bowl. Scoop out the onions and add to the chicken. Depending on the amount of juices produced, you may want to add some or all of the juice back to the shredded chicken.
Like I said, I almost followed the recipe. Here's what I did differently:
1. Instead of boneless, skinless chicken breasts, I used boneless, skinless chicken thighs.
2. I omitted the cilantro. I really like cilantro, but I was too impatient to take it off the stem and chop it. I really need to buy some herb scissors.
3. When it came time to add the lime, I figured the more the merrier. I sliced up one of the limes and just tossed them in the crockpot while the chicken was cooking. I think it really enhanced the flavor.
Enjoy!
Original recipe borrowed from goodlifeeats
Once prepared, this chicken would be great in quesadilla, tacos, nachos, enchiladas, or like I ate it-- in soft tacos with all the fixins'.
Ingredients
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 1/4 teaspoon cumin
1 tablespoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon coriander
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/3 cup chicken broth
1/3 cup (packed) cilantro leaves, chopped
2 limes
1 large onion, chopped
1 jalapeno, seeded and minced
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon olive oil
Directions
1. Heat the oil in a medium sized sauté pan. Add the onion and sauté for 5 minutes. Add the cumin, chili powder, coriander, paprika and garlic and sauté two more minutes. Deglaze the pan with the chicken broth making sure to scrape up any browned bits. Turn off and set aside.
2. Sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper. Add to crock pot. Squeeze the lime on top, add the cilantro, jalapeno, and pour the onion and garlic mixture over top.
3. Cook on low for 3-5 hours, or until cooked through (different crock-pots cook at varying heats) and tender. Remove chicken breasts from the crock pot, shred and place in a bowl. Scoop out the onions and add to the chicken. Depending on the amount of juices produced, you may want to add some or all of the juice back to the shredded chicken.
Like I said, I almost followed the recipe. Here's what I did differently:
1. Instead of boneless, skinless chicken breasts, I used boneless, skinless chicken thighs.
2. I omitted the cilantro. I really like cilantro, but I was too impatient to take it off the stem and chop it. I really need to buy some herb scissors.
3. When it came time to add the lime, I figured the more the merrier. I sliced up one of the limes and just tossed them in the crockpot while the chicken was cooking. I think it really enhanced the flavor.
Enjoy!
Original recipe borrowed from goodlifeeats
A New Blog
I have for a very long time been collecting recipes and now I am taking a moment to share the ones I find, the ones I try, and the success (or failure) of each one!
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
About Me
I have been know to utter the phrase "it's ALL about me" a time or two. Normally, I am kidding. No, really. I would like to think that I am not a selfish person. Sure, we all have selfish tendencies. It's human nature. If it means anything to you, I have a philanthropic heart. If I were rich I'd quit my job and spend my time volunteering and donating to worthy causes.
I was editing my blog when I came across the "About Me" section. I always have a hard time filling this in. I have such a hard time pinning down just who I am. Today, I decided to just go with it. I came up with this:
I'm a daughter, a sister, a friend...and I'm a Princess. I was born with a crown on my head, a tutu around my waist, and sparkles on my shoes-- and I don't think I'll ever grow out of it. Love me or hate me, you probably want to know "Where's Waldie?"
There are a few reasons I wrote this. I have had several conversations lately with both friends and family members. My question to them was: "How do you raise a child like me?" When I asked my mom, she had no reply. By "child like me" I mean this: I am the epitome of girly girl. I am 25 years old, but if it has a ruffle, a bow, a flower, or a sparkle...I'll probably buy it and wear it. If it's pink, I probably already own it. The other day a childhood friend posted on a Facebook picture of me and she said this, "Lauren, This picture reminds me of when I knew you in elementary school... I remember you always had a pink dress with a matching head band... lol! Hope you had a good birthday!" You probably remember the post about my birthday dress.
Anyway, I love that I love pink. I love that I'm a girly girl. I love that my family thinks I'm a Princess.
I was editing my blog when I came across the "About Me" section. I always have a hard time filling this in. I have such a hard time pinning down just who I am. Today, I decided to just go with it. I came up with this:
I'm a daughter, a sister, a friend...and I'm a Princess. I was born with a crown on my head, a tutu around my waist, and sparkles on my shoes-- and I don't think I'll ever grow out of it. Love me or hate me, you probably want to know "Where's Waldie?"
There are a few reasons I wrote this. I have had several conversations lately with both friends and family members. My question to them was: "How do you raise a child like me?" When I asked my mom, she had no reply. By "child like me" I mean this: I am the epitome of girly girl. I am 25 years old, but if it has a ruffle, a bow, a flower, or a sparkle...I'll probably buy it and wear it. If it's pink, I probably already own it. The other day a childhood friend posted on a Facebook picture of me and she said this, "Lauren, This picture reminds me of when I knew you in elementary school... I remember you always had a pink dress with a matching head band... lol! Hope you had a good birthday!" You probably remember the post about my birthday dress.
Anyway, I love that I love pink. I love that I'm a girly girl. I love that my family thinks I'm a Princess.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Ready to Run
This year I am running in the Austin Susan G Komen Race for the Cure 5K on November 7th--less than a week away! As you probably know, I am not a runner. I've been training (a little) but I will still have to walk some of it I'm sure. I keep seeing opportunities for people to tell their breast cancer story. For some that's a story of loss. For others it's a triumphant story of victory. I keep thinking-- I don't have a story. And I hope I never have to. The point is, I will complete it. I'm running for those women who don't have a story. Hopefully, they'll never have to have one either.
There's still time for you to join our team. Or, if you'd rather sleep in and let me do the running for you, feel free to donate to a wonderful cause. If you've already donated, I am so grateful. Thank you.
Visit my personal page to sign up or donate today!
There's still time for you to join our team. Or, if you'd rather sleep in and let me do the running for you, feel free to donate to a wonderful cause. If you've already donated, I am so grateful. Thank you.
Visit my personal page to sign up or donate today!
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