Spinkle Shower

Ok, this is only semi-food related but I'm so happy with how everything turned out, I had to share! I organized my first ever, Sprinkle Shower for a co-worker expecting baby #2. I made rice crispy treat pops, dipped in pink chocolate and topped with sprinkles. They turned about AMAZING and so did the whole party. Love when you have a vision of how it will look and you make it happen. And it could only happen with amazing co-workers helping! Mark was in charge of signage and the "Ready to Pop" sucker tags. Daos brought in the BEST cupcakes from Yummy cupcakes and to die for popcorn from Chicago. Nan brought in sugar sprinkled sugar cookies. Yes, it was a SUGAR fest.  We also had super cute heart shaped jelly beans from another Stephanie that I'm actually eating right now. Guess I didn't have enough sugar yesterday!
The table was decorated with bottles filled with sprinkles and flowers. I used Snapple bottles, labels removed and a ribbon covering the mouth of the bottle!
We did "Late Night Diapers" as our activity/game. Nadia brought in diapers and everyone wrote a little message to Alanna for those middle of the night diaper changes. When you're up for the 4th time, you need something to make you laugh.
I LOVE doing this kind of stuff.....need to find a way to make money doing this. :)

Chicken Piccata

Best part about this blog, it's making me try new recipes I've been sitting on! Why have I been sitting on this so long??? To avoid having dry chicken breast cutlets, I pan seared them and then finished cooking them in the oven. I also had to reduce the sauce longer than it instructed in order to have the appropriate consistency.

Probably didn't need to serve it with an additional veggie but Sophia loves green beans and I had them in the fridge. 

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/chicken-piccata-recipe/index.html

Lemon Chicken Thighs

Surprise, surprise, I substitute chicken thighs for breasts in this meal. Thighs just tend to have more flavor and are so much juicier! The best thing about this recipe is the braising of the chicken meat and the crispy skin. I usually have to cook mine at 425 for a bit longer to get the crispy skin. And don't be scared of all the garlic.....garlic is tasty and so good for you!

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/lemon-chicken-breasts-recipe/index.html

Capellini With Spicy Zucchini-Tomato Sauce

I'm really liking these Meatless Monday recipes!  This is a great light and flavorful summer meal.  I eased up on the spices for Sophia. I'm sure a red pepper flake on a 2 year old's tongue would be a 5 alarm fire.  Even without the spicy factor, it was still delicious.  And did I mention how happy I am to have cheese back in my life?? Special thanks to the little boy in my belly for giving me back dairy, even if it is only for a short time.  (Fingers crossed that its permanent!)

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/capellini-with-spicy-zucchini-tomato-sauce-recipe/index.html

Pasta Primavera

After such a decadent Father's Day dinner of red meat and bacon, I had to take part in Meatless Monday's. This recipe was so delicious and perfect!  Prep took a little bit of time but every bite was worth it.  I purchased all of the veggies at the local farmers market like always. Try and find your local farmers market because it makes a WORLD of difference in your cooking. Even potatoes taste better! I'm really looking forward to making this one again!!!

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/pasta-primavera-recipe/index.html

Chocolate Brownie Cookies

I hadn't baked in years but decided to give these a try. OMG! These are amazing!!! A few lucky co-workers were able to get a taste today and word spread fast.  I might have to make these again. :)

http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/chocolate-brownie-cookies

Red Wine-Braised Shortribs

Last nights shortribs were the best I've EVER made. Even the leftovers I just had were AMAZING! If you are planning on making these, give yourself 4-5 hours from start to finish. For the recipe, I do make a few adjustments.  Instead of chopping the onion, carrot and celery, I purchase 2 containers of mirepoix from Trader Joe's.  Also, it says to use 1 tbls of tomato paste, I use more like 4oz.  But try it as is first and then decide if you want to add more next time.

Since it was Father's Day, I also made bacon-wrapped asparagus.
Coat asparagus in olive oil
Sprinkle with pepper
Take 5-6 stocks of asparagus and wrap with a slice of bacon
Place on foil lined baking sheet
Bake 15 minutes at 400.

Enjoy!!

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Red-Wine-Braised-Shortribs-367736

Brunch - Egg & Ham Cups

Need a quick and easy brunch idea! This one will impress everyone and you can make a very large batch for bigger parties.

Heat the oven to 400 degrees
Spray muffin tin with non-stick spray
Make a cup with a thin slice of ham in each slot in the muffin tin
Crack an egg in each cup
Salt and pepper
Bake for 12-15 minutes depending on how runny you want your eggs
Top with scallions and grated Parmesan cheese
Serve HOT!

Roast Chicken Breast with Garbanzo Bean, Tomatoes and Paprika

This is one I've been cooking for a few years now but have made my own edits. I prefer to use chicken thighs, almost always! I pan sear the chicken thighs in an iron skillet with olive oil and butter until the skin is crisp. Then I follow the recipe minus the yogurt sauce. It's good but I was dairy free for so long, it didn't make sense to make it for one person. :)

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Roast-Chicken-Breasts-with-Garbanzo-Beans-Tomatoes-and-Paprika-242113

Soy-glazed Salmon with Cucumber-Avocado Salad

When I started making this one, I wasn't sure about it.  Even started questioning why I bothered printing it out. But after the first bite, I was pleasantly surprised and can't wait to make this again!!! It is a perfect summer meal. Refreshing, light and full of flavor.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/soy-glazed-salmon-with-cucumber-avocado-salad-recipe/index.html

Lemon Chicken with Artichoke Hearts

I was in search of quick week night dinners and this one looked like it had potential.  It was just OK and I'm not sure if I would make it again.  Can't really pinpoint what I didn't like, just wasn't a huge fan.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/aida-mollenkamp/lemon-chicken-with-artichoke-hearts-recipe/index.html

Surf 'n Turf Paella

This was a PERFECT Sunday meal after a great weekend.  I won't lie, I was actually dreading spending this much time in the kitchen but after the 1st bite, I knew it was worth every minute.  Since Sophia eats what we eat, I did cut back on the saffron and in it's place I added cumin.

Since you cook the steak first, I pre-heat the over to 250 degrees and place it in there to rest and stay warm.  As you can see, it did not overcook it, keeping the perfect red center. I'm pretty excited to eat my leftovers today too!!

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/surf-n-turf-paella-recipe/index.html

BBQ Chicken

Earl got the recipe from an old co-worker that I've taken and made my own.  Takes some time but it's so worth it!!!

4 boneless/skinless butter-flied chicken breasts
Salt & Pepper
3 tbls of EVOO
4 thick slices bacon, chopped
1 medium red onion, finely chopped
2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
2 sprigs of rosemary, finely chopped
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
3 tbls brown sugar
1 tbls worcestershire sauce
1 cup tomato sauce
1/2 cup chicken stock
1 cup white all-purpose flour
1 tbls italian seasoning
4 eggs

Preheat oven 300 degrees

Heat 2 tbls of EVOO in a medium skillet and cook bacon until crisp.
Add onions, garlic and rosemary. Cook 5 minute or until well softened and then add the vinegar, sugar, worcestershire sauce, tomato sauce and chicken stock. Reduce heat to low and let sauce simmer 15 minutes or until thickened.

Take a laddle of sauce and pour it into a high sided backing dish making sure to coat the bottom of the dish.

Place flour, salt pepper, italian seasoning in a quart size plastic sealable bag. In a separate bowl, beat eggs until well blended.
Heat a non-stick skillet with some EVOO.
Put the chicken in the flour bag and shake until well coated, dust of excess flour and dip into eggs and gently place in hot oil.  Cook about 5 minutes on each side or until golden brown.

Place the cooked chicken into the sauce lined baking dish in a single layer.  It's OK if the over lap a little if needed.  Once all chicken is cooked pour the remaining sauce over the top.

Bake chicken for 30 minutes.  Serve with your favorite sides!

Classic French Toast with Strawberries

After last nights dinner, I felt I really needed to redeem myself in the kitchen.  And did I ever!  How could you go wrong with a Martha Stewart recipe.....  The house smelled amazing and it tasted even better. Seriously, try this one.  I used country white sliced sourdough.  She suggested soaking it for 10 minutes but I only did about 5.

http://www.marthastewart.com/333918/classic-french-toast

5-minute Brown Butter Chicken and Crispy Sage

A co-worker mentioned making this recipe and really enjoying it so I gave it try on Friday night.  Maybe because I normally do more elaborate recipes that are saucy, I did not really enjoy this one.  It was decent but too plain for me.  Maybe if it was done with chicken thighs I would have liked it better. :)

http://www.kevinandamanda.com/recipes/dinner/5-minute-brown-butter-chicken-and-crispy-sage.html

Pan-Roasted Chicken with Oranges and Rosemary

When I got pregnant I had a serious orange craving and stumbled on this recipe.  So glad I did because it's one of our favorites now.  My recipe edits: Marinade, I add fresh squeeze orange juice to the oil-rosemary mixture.  I also drizzle the remaining marinade on the chicken after pan searing so the juices really bake into the meat while cooking.  Serve with risotto and zucchini.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ask-aida/pan-roasted-chicken-with-oranges-and-rosemary-recipe/index.html

Ms. Sicily's Signature Pasta

My life was changed when I discovered Rao's! Expensive jarred sauce but worth every penny. Trust me.

Boil a pot of heavily salted water.
Brown the sausage and zucchini in a saute pan until cooked. Add in sliced roasted red pepper slices and the sauce. Bring to a light boil and simmer while your pasta cooks. Drain your pasta, pour your sauce over it and serve! Mangia-Mangia!

Pan Seared Chicken Breast with Herb Jus and Potato-Vegetable Hash

This one is a show stopper.  Takes a bit of time but great weekend meal! I prefer to make it with boneless, skinless chicken thighs.  I usually double the potato hash because we LOVE it.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/robert-irvine/pan-seared-chicken-breast-with-herb-jus-and-potato-vegetable-hash-recipe/index.html

Cuban rubbed pork chops

This is one of my summer favorites.  Mainly because I get to pair it with corn, tomatoes and avocado!  In the recipe he says to remove the pork chops and reduce the sauce, I've found that they are not cooked enough.  So I leave them in the pan while it reduces.

I toss the tomatoes and avocado in olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper.  The cook the corn on the cob and cut it out.  But you could totally serve it on the cob if you prefer.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/guy-fieri/cuban-pork-chops-with-mojo-recipe/index.html

Steak and Potatoes

This my version of steak and potatoes!  I've picked up these recipes from multiple sources and have made them my own.  We try not to eat a lot of red meat so we share just one steak between us.

Steak
Olive oil
Butter
Salt and Pepper
Pull the steak out immediately and let it sit out while you prep everything else.  A steak will not sear properly and cook evenly if it's cooked cold.  Also if you haven't invested in an iron skillet......get one now.

Small yukon gold potatoes
Red bell pepper
Sweet onion
carrots
Olive oil
Salt & Pepper
Cut everything into pieces and toss with the olive oil, salt and pepper.  Spread out on a baking sheet covered in foil.  Bake at 425 for approximately 25-30 minutes or until they are as roasted as you prefer.
While the potatoes are in the oven, heat your iron skillet on high.  Add olive oil and a tsp of butter to the pan.  The olive oil prevents the butter from burning.  Salt and pepper your steak.  Sear it on one side (time depends on how you like your meat cooked) and then turn and sear on the other side.  Let the steak rest for at least 5 minutes before serving.

This is an easy way to know if your steak is cooked!

Mustard Roasted Salmon

This is another one of those need to cook in less than 30 meals.  It's quick, easy, painless and amazing.  I recently discovered the Trader Joe's rice in the frozen section!  Nice to have for quick meals.  Pair it with your favorite veggie and dinner is served.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/mustard-roasted-salmon-recipe/index.html

Homemade Pizza

We have a pizza problem in our house.  We all LOVE pizza but Sophia and I can't do dairy.  I've tried every frozen pizza and I never get the satisfaction I am looking for.  A co-worker mentioned using Trader Joe's dough so I gave it a try this week.  I used Rao's pizza sauce (because I'm addicted to their pasta sauce) and soy cheese.  Topped it with my favorite, pepperoni and pineapple.  It's pretty decent.  Next time I'll brush the crust with some oil olive before baking since I felt it was a little dry and will help it get a bit more golden.  But we will definitely be doing this again!!

If anyone can recommend a great dairy-free cheese that tastes great on pizza, let me know!

http://www.traderjoes.com/fearless-flyer/article.asp?article_id=702

http://www.raos.com/pizza-sauce-case.aspx#.UaqPKq78eYA

White House Garden Herb-Roasted Chicken with Braised Greens

This recipe is a total winner in my books.  The flavors are AMAZING.  The chicken marinates over night so make sure to plan ahead if you want to make this meal.  To speed up the cooking process, prep as much as you can the night before.  Tear all your kale and cut the bacon.  Then all you have to do is cut the onion and wash your kale and throw the chicken in the oven.  I always serve it with quinoa cooked in chicken broth.  

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/white-house-garden-herb-roasted-chicken-with-braised-greens-recipe/index.html