From Spring to Fall

My sweet vases got a make over this week from the springtime hydrangeas

To their new Fall look! I love fresh flowers.... le sigh

Caprese Salad

I love me some caprese salad, it is so easy and fresh. All you need are these things. 

 Slice the tomatoes and mozzarella and arrange on the plate however you like, this is how i like it.

Mix up a little olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and a tiny bit of agave nectar (or honey) and drizzle on the tomato/mozzarella concoction. Top of with some basil and fresh cracked pepper and delicious caprese, it is that easy and that good. The fresher the mozzarella the better, this is not the best.

Texas Trash

Texas Trash is one of things that is fun to make and enjoyed by all, especially snacking wise just put a bowl out and it will be gone in a snap. However the easiest way to make it is in bulk and now I have so much trash i don't know what to do with it, and I can't just put it in the actual trash can I?

Pour these guys into a trash bag, yes trash bag.

Hello in there.

Then open up a new jar of peanut butter... and carve your initials in it and make a wish. Then in one scoop you have to get all of your initials out otherwise the wish won't come true (learned it at camp, and it kinda stuck like peanut butter sticks to the roof of your mouth).

Melt the peanut butter and butter together, and then pour it into the bag and shake.

Then melt a bag of chocolate chips and toss it in and shake it back up. Shake it up. Shake it up. Look up the Stevie-S song "Shake it up" this guy from the Bahamas, and I dare you not to dance while listening/grooving to it.


Wait for the peanut butter and chocolate to semi-cool then dump in a box of powdered sugar, and you guessed it Shake it up! While dancing to Stevie-S because you have now purchased it on itunes.

Ta Da! Texas trash, the dirtier the better. I told you it made a lot anyone want any?

Leftover Steaks

Herc went to Bohanan's Restaurant with a bunch of men after an oil and gas convention, huf huf huf (the Tim Allen grunt) and he now claims it was one of the best steaks he had ever had and luckily for me he and a guy from out of town didn't quite finish their dinosaur steaks. The worst of meals for you, but I couldn't help it I had to try what was now being labeled the best steak in town! If you are having that kind of steak too you need an equally bad for you potato side.

We did these new age version of scalloped potatoes, start by slicing them but not all the way. Herc messed up on one slice a toothpick came to the rescue.

Alternate stuffing butter and parmesan cheese into the slits, I told you this was bad for you.

But so delish!

 Then put your caterpillar of potatoes on a baking sheet and drizzle with a little olive oil and bake at 400 degrees from 45 min. to 1 hour.`

When they are done pull them out and top with some cheddar cheese, then put them back in for 10-15 minutes.

Voila!

I also made a little cherry tomato and mozzarella salad drizzled in olive oil and balsamic vinegar with a little bit of basil. It was in the fridge.

Gotta have a little bit over color on the plate.

For the steaks Herc put them in a pan and in the oven on low broil for about 10 minutes, I think I wasn't really paying attention The New Girl was on and I am a big fan. I love Zooey Deschanel.

Pretty good leftover night, I'm sure glad they went to Bohanan's.

 Herc topped off the steaks with a little garlic butter we had from Central market, imaginary hat off to you sir.

Split and enjoy.

Now I just have to actually go to the restaurant and see if it is as good in person. Need a break though, must eat salad...

Tailgater's Frito Pie

Football Season!!! What is better than a good frito pie while watching the game with a great group of friends on a Saturday afternoon. TEXAS FIGHT! Not that I am partial or anything, we kind of have a house divided in our home. However because I did attend graduate school at TCU and Herc did undergrad and graduate school at  TCU he claims that his 6 + my 2 years of Horned Frogness tips the scales away from my 4 years at the best school on earth UT (well at least in Texas). I beg to differ because I know in my mind my color will always be burnt orange, it is in my blood. This particular weekend was Red River Shootout and for the first time in 6 years I was not in Dallas celebrating and going to the game/fair. However Herc said we would have people over to cheer on the horns. We had home-made corn dogs made by Herc, Frito Pie, Texas Trash, and Southwestern Eggrolls-posts to come. As discussed while eating them most of us LOVE frito pie just choose not to disclose it to everyone (not too lady-like). I use the chili recipe from my love PW. 

The team.

Plus these defensive ends.

Cook meat like normal.

Then add the tomato sauce, Rotel, salt, oregano, cumin, and chili powder. Cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 30 minutes. Go paint your nails burnt orange right now to get you pumped up.

Then add the beans and stir it up (while singing the Bob Marley song, Stir It Up). I added some serano peppers in for a little spice. Then Cover again and simmer for another 20 minutes.

 Mix a little masa and hot water together.

Then add it to the chili. PW said to do this, so I did. I think it just kind of thickens up the chili and makes it not so soupy. I liked it.

Once ready to serve to hungry football crazed guests cut the side of the frito bag and open.

While serving we had a station of some diced up jalapenos, cheese, and red onions but was too busy enjoying to snap a photo. Just here is the finished product better look quick because it did not stay around too long.

 Although we were not at the fair to enjoy some chicken fried bacon, and a Fletcher's corn dog it was still a good day. Even though we got creamed.

Here is her recipe:

Ingredients

2 pounds Ground Chuck

3 cloves Garlic, Minced (optional)

1 can (12 To 14 Ounce) Tomato Sauce

1 can (10 Ounce) Ro-tel (diced Tomatoes And Chilies)

1/2 teaspoon Salt

1 teaspoon Ground Oregano

1 Tablespoon Ground Cumin

2 Tablespoons Chili Powder (more To Taste)

1 can (14-ounce) Kidney Beans, Drained And Rinsed

1 can (14-ounce) Pinto Beans, Drained And Rinsed

1/4 cup Masa (corn Flour) Or Regular Corn Meal

1/2 cup Warm Water

Individual Bags Of Fritos

Grated Sharp Cheddar Cheese

Diced Red Onion (Optional)

Preparation Instructions

Brown ground chuck with garlic in a pot over medium-high heat. Add tomato sauce, Rotel, salt, oregano, cumin, and chili powder. Cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 30 minutes.

Add drained and rinsed beans. Stir to combine, then cover and simmer for another 20 minutes.
Mix masa with water, then add to the chili. Stir to combine and simmer for a final 10 to 15 minutes. Set aside.

Italian Chicken Noodle Soup

It's soup weather! Well not REALLY but I like soup all year round and the tiniest bit of breeze I give myself the ok to make soup. There are a lot of steps in this recipe it doesn't really matter what order you go in just that in the end everything is ready to go into the soup.

Start by poaching the chicken in some chicken broth, then once cooked through shred the chicken, but keep the broth for the soup

Saute some oregano in a little olive oil and just keep near. 

Cook the pasta according to the package, I would do al dente because I think my pasta was a little over cooked after it cooked a little more in the soup, but lessons for next time. Pour cool water on so it doesn't cook more in the pot and a little olive oil so it doesn't stick to each other.

The mob (because it is Italian soup...). Chop these guys up, so they can never be found... just kidding I got really into the mob aspect. Just chop and then saute in a little olive oil and salt and pepper until tender.

When they are tender add a can of diced tomatoes, the chicken broth, and shredded chicken, bring to a boil.

Once it has come to a boil reduce to a simmer and add 2 cups of this guy, warning: not for everyday use.

Also add the oregano and the pasta, stir and you are good to go!

Serve with some cracked pepper and fresh parmesan. Maybe light a candle and crack a window if there is a good breeze, I did.

• Ingredients
• 1 box Ditalini Pasta (very Short Macaroni-type Pasta Noodles), I couldn't find this so used macaroni 
• 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
• 1 whole Cut Up Fryer Chicken, couldn't find this also so used chicken breasts
• 8 cups Low Sodium Chicken Broth
• 1 whole Medium Onion, Diced
• 2 whole Green Bell Peppers, Diced
• 2 stalks Celery, Diced
• 2 whole Fresh Jalapenos, Diced
• 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
• 1 can (28-ounce) Can Whole Tomatoes
• 2 cups Heavy Cream
• ⅓ cups Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 4 Tablespoons Minced Fresh Oregano
• Salt And Freshly Ground Pepper, To Taste
• Parmesan Cheese Shavings, For Serving

Preparation Instructions

Cook pasta in a pot according to package directions, being sure not to overcook it. Drain and rinse in cold water to cool. Toss in 1 tablespoon olive oil and set aside.

Place chicken in a large pot or dutch oven and cover in chicken stock. Bring to a boil, then simmer chicken, covered, for 30 minutes. Turn off heat and leave covered for 30 minutes. Remove chicken from pot and shred meat. Discard bones and set meat aside.

Heat a small skillet over medium high heat. Add olive oil and oregano and turn off heat, stirring over the next minute to keep oregano from burning. Set this aside.

 Saute onion, green pepper, celery, and jalapenos in 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat until tender and golden brown, about 10 minutes. Add chicken broth, shredded chicken, and tomatoes with their juice. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Add cooked pasta, cream, oregano and olive oil from the small skillet. Stir to combine. Turn off heat.

Serve with lots of Parmesan sprinkled on the top–the more the better! Crusty Italian bread is good, too.