Torta Rustica and Tax Day Anniversary

It was today, 23 years ago that I met my future husband.  23 years ago I stood in his sister's family room enjoying a wonderful business luncheon they were hosting.  So much has happened in 23 years, I am in amazement at what we have been through (and I'm not just referring to my ever changing hair color either) and so thankful for all the blessings that we have experienced together.

Check out this stylish couple!
circa 1993, The Ritz Carlton Resort, Rancho Mirage, California

On that fateful day, they prepared an incredible menu of Torta Rustica, Arnold Palmer drinks and warm chocolate chip cookies.

Through the years, we have appreciated various deli styles of this Italian classic on our "meeting" anniversary. We decided this year we are going to try and create our own homemade version.  This weekend is forecasting another "Spring blizzard", so it's a good opportunity to stay home and enjoy old memories and new recipes.

Torta Rustica
Adapted from Better Homes and Gardens

1 (14 ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained and coarsely chopped
2/3 cup roasted red sweet peppers, drained and cut into thin strips
1 Tbl. olive oil
1/2 cup chopped onion (1 medium)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and well drained
1/2 tsp. salt
1 (15 ounce) carton ricotta cheese
1 eggs, lightly beaten
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
1/2 cup refrigerated basil pesto or classic pesto sauce
3/4 cup shredded fontina or gruyere cheese
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
3 Tbl. all-purpose flour
4 ounces thinly sliced salami and/or pepperoni, cut into thin strips
1 Tbl. water
1 pkg. (17.3 ounces) Pepperidge Farm Puff Pastry Sheets, thawed (2 sheets)

Place drained artichoke hearts and roasted red peppers on paper towels;  set aside to drain while preparing filling.

For filling, in a large skillet heat oil over medium-high heat.  Add onion;  cook and stir about 3 minutes or until tender.  Stir in garlic; cook about 1 minute or until fragrant.  Add spinach; cook for 2 to 3 minutes more or until liquid is evaporated.  Sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon of the salt.  Transfer to a colander.  When spinach is cool enough to handle, use your hands to squeeze out as much liquid as possible.  Transfer spinach mixture to a medium bowl.  Stir in ricotta, 1/4 cup of the Parmesan cheese, one of the eggs, the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and the black pepper.  Set aside.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Unfold 1 pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface.  Roll the pastry sheet into a 14-inch square.  Press the pastry into the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch springform pan, leaving the excess pastry draped over the sides of the pan.  Brush the pastry sheet with other egg beaten with water.

Spread pesto sauce over bottom crust in pan.  Spread ricotta mixture over pesto.  In a small bowl combine fontina cheese, the remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese and the flour.  Sprinkle half of the fontina mixture over ricotta mixture.  Top with layers of salami/pepperoni, roasted peppers, and artichoke hearts.  Sprinkle the remaining fontina mixture over artichokes.

Unfold the remaining pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface.  Roll the remaining pastry sheet into a 10-inch square.  Place the pastry sheet over the filling.  Trim off any excess pastry and discard or save for another use.  Fold the edge of the top pastry over the bottom pastry and press to seal.  Brush the pastry with the egg mixture.

Place the springform pan on a foil lined shallow-sided baking sheet.

Bake for 45 minutes or until the pastry is golden brown.  Let the torta cool in the pan on a wire rack for 30 minutes.  Remove torta from pan, set on serving platter and let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.

** We enjoyed our Torta Rustica with a mixed green salad, honey mustard vinaigrette with toasted pine nuts, Pinot Noir (and warm chocolate chip cookies of course) Cheers!  

One Year Ago: Cambozola Platter
Two Years Ago: Carrot Cupcakes

The Finale!!

Mike's Marinating Mess

Sunday mornings are bath days...for the boys that is.  We have our favorite dog wash in town and this Sunday will be no exception, even though it is Masters Championship Day!

Angus sporting his "Masters Green" towel.

As predicted, last year's winner Jordan Spieth hosted and served an "Authentic Texas Barbecue" this week for his traditional Champions Dinner complete with various bbq meats, baked beans, bacon and chive potato salad and a warm chocolate chip cookie with vanilla ice cream for dessert.

Our latest go-to bbq chicken marinade was created by my brother-in-law many, many years ago.  This marinade is perfect for when you are needing to clean out the spice cabinet and have that last little smidgen left in various containers but don't want to throw away.

Since it needs a good 6-8 hours for the right chicken fusion, it's the perfect amount of time for a visit to the dog spa!

Mike's Marinating Mess
Courtesy of Brother Mike

1/2 can beer (your favorite brand)
1 cup BBQ sauce
1/2 cup ketchup
2 ounces, steak sauce
5 dashes, Worcestershire sauce
2 dashes, soy sauce
2 ounces, teriyaki sauce
1 tsp. sesame oil
1 Tbl. red wine vinegar
1/4 cup white wine
2 tsp. dry mustard
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. Italian herb seasoning
1 tsp. dill weed
1 tsp. curry powder
1 tsp. sage
1 tsp. parsley flakes
1 tsp. oregano
1 tsp. rosemary
1 tsp. paprika

Mix together.  Marinate your favorite meat in this mess (for 6-8 hours) and barbecue or broil.

One Year Ago: Chicken with Gorgonzola Sauce
Two Years Ago: Parmesan Potato au Gratin

Mastering The Art of Desserts and The Masters

It's Masters Week here at our house.  No more news channel in the mornings...it's The Golf Channel all the way until Sunday, live from Augusta, Georgia.  Looks like there will be a lot of the traditional egg salad and pimento cheese creations I get to come up with this weekend...yummy!!

Tonight is also the traditional Champions Dinner which will be hosted by last year's champion, Jordan Spieth.  Since Jordan is from Texas I'm sure BBQ will be served tonight along with some other Lone Star surprises.  I always have fun trying to re-create the Champions Dinner the same weekend as The Masters...looks like BBQ brisket will be on Sunday dinner's menu for us.

As much as I love watching golf with my husband on Sundays I can usually only take so much. During my off time I'm usually in the kitchen playing with recipes and catching bits and pieces of the tournament from the Family Room television.

I have never been much of an adventurous baker, but every now and then I try to conquer my fears.  I saw this cheesecake on Pinterest a few weeks ago.  The photo was breathtaking so I clicked on it to get the recipe.  The entire site was in a foreign language...not good.  I tried doing the translation button and that didn't work...definitely not good.  Well I had no idea how to make this, so I decided to just try the "semi-homemade" version and wing it myself.

In the photo I saw some kind of chocolate cake type base but didn't know if the cheesecake was baked or not.  I turned to my best friend "Jell-O"!!  This masterpiece definitely took some time and strategy to try and figure out.

I wish I could give an exact recipe, but I'm sure anyone can create this.  Once I got into it, the dessert really started to come together nicely.  The taste of it was out of this world!!  Now if I could just figure out what part of the world their Pinterest page and recipe came from and learn the language!!

The Masters Cheesecake
My Semi-Homemade Version

Start with a box of your favorite brownie mix.  Assemble according to box directions but this time, bake on a parchment lined cookie sheet.  Baking time will decrease due to a thinner brownie than usual.  Let brownie cool after baking.

Take a spring form pan and put on top of the cooled brownie.  Trace and cut the shape/size onto brownie.  Line the bottom of spring form pan with parchment paper and place the circle of brownie into the bottom of pan...this is now your base of dessert.

Cut 1/2 pound of strawberries into vertical slices and line the circle inside of pan with the cut strawberries right on top of the brownie...this is the perimeter of dessert.

Next, prepare 2 boxes of Jello-O "No Bake" cheesecake mix, according to directions.  Do not prepare the graham cracker crust from the mix...save it for another golf tournament creation.  Pour the prepared cheesecake mix into the pan in the center.  Spread evenly to get all around pan as it will now completely cover the strawberries.  Put in refrigerator and chill for at least 4-6 hours.

For the topping, prepare your favorite chocolate ganache recipe (I think there are about 257 of them published now).  Spread the prepared ganache all over the chilled cheesecake.  Let cool in refrigerator for at least one hour.  Top with more cut strawberries.

Now, congratulate yourself on mastering this dessert...it's well worth it!!

One Year Ago:  Spicy Sausage Skillet
Two Years Ago:  Mushroom Soup

Roy's Braised Beef Short Ribs, Purple Potatoes and New Plates

Well, my new everyday dishes saga continues and just went to a new level.

We decided to invite over some new couple friends for dinner.  The husband has been playing golf with mine for over a year and after all this time, we scheduled a night to finally get together, meet each other's spouses, break bread and enjoy a bottle (or four) of wine over dinner.

Now mind you during the week leading up to this dinner my everyday salad plates were cracking and breaking one by one.  The pressure was on!!  I didn't want to serve dinner on our wedding dishes and come across too fancy...trying to keep it more casual but tasteful and those cracked, chipped dinner plates weren't going to have it.  Not to mention I purchased a new table runner and hurricane candle holders for the dinner...okay, maybe I did get fancy and go a little overboard.

So, I finally found a style I think I like.  I only purchased four salad and four dinner plates for our quaint dinner...think of it as a trial run.  I still haven't decided if I want to purchase more and make them the "official" daily dishes or not...stay tuned.

For our dinner menu on the new dishes I served Roy's Braised Beef Short Ribs, Mashed Purple Sweet Potatoes and Lemon-Garlic Haricot Verts with Toasted Almonds, paired with Angeline Pinot Noir.  Beautiful colors and flavors!

These Braised Beef Short Ribs come from one of our favorite most treasured restaurants...Roy's Hawaiian Fusion in Kona.  It is always the last meal we enjoy at the end of our trip, for a special evening before we depart Hawaii after a vacationing on the Kona Coast.

When we lived in California, we were so excited to have one only 15 minutes from us in Rancho Mirage.  Unfortunately the nearest Roy's to us now is a 12 hour drive away in Las Vegas...good thing I have commandeered some of their classic favorite recipes.

Braised Beef Short Ribs
Adapted from Roy's Pacific Rim Cuisine Restaurants

4 Servings

1/2 cup canola oil
4 (10-ounce) beef short ribs (boneless okay too)
salt and pepper to taste
1 cup flour
3 carrots, peeled and chopped
2 large onions, chopped
1 rib celery, chopped
1 cup red wine (preferably Cabernet Savignon)
3 bay leaves
2 quarts beef stock
10 black peppercorns, whole

Honey Mustard Glaze

1 cup whole grain mustard
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup white wine (preferably Chardonnay)
1/8 - 1/4 cup garlic, chopped (depending how much you like garlic)
1 bunch basil leaved, chopped

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Heat oil in a roasting or braising pan over medium heat.  Season short ribs with salt and pepper.  Lightly dredge in flour.  Shake off any excess flour.  Sear all sides of short ribs until golden brown.  Add carrots, onions and celery to roasting pan and saute until tender, about 2 minutes.  Deglaze pan with red wine.  Add the bay leaves, beef stock and peppercorns.  Cover roasting pan with aluminum foil and bake until ribs are knife-tender, about 2 to 2-1/2 hours.

While short ribs are braising, mix all the ingredients for Honey Mustard Glaze in a bowl and set in refrigerator until ready to use.

When ready, remove short ribs from liquid and set aside.  Heat gas or charcoal grill to medium heat.  Brush short ribs well with the honey glaze and grill briefly to set the glaze.

While short ribs are searing off with the honey glaze, set roasting pan on stove and heat vegetables until sauce consistency.  Add more beef stock if needed.

Remove bay leaves and pour vegetable sauce over grilled short ribs.

**Prepare the purple sweet potatoes just as you would regular Yukon mashed potatoes with salt, pepper, butter, heavy cream, sour cream, etc.

One Year Ago:  Blackberry Coffee Cake with Pecan Streusal
Two Years Ago: Beer Battered Fish and Chips

English Pea Salad and Early Easter

A wonderful Good Friday to everyone today.  I hope this day and Easter weekend finds you full of Blessings.

As our girls are out of town this week, we celebrated Easter early and had our traditional dinner last weekend together.  I actually started celebrating about a month ago.  As soon as February was over, I began the Spring table decorating.   I love the thought of Spring and bringing in something old (a family decoration) and purchasing something new for the table to mix the two.

This year I decided we needed new Spring placemats and napkins (on sale of course).  I mixed them with the turquoise chargers I purchased for our Thanksgiving table and brought out my favorite bunny plates.  When I was expecting our girls 17 years ago, I took a ceramic painting class and made two of these bunny plates...where has the time gone?  I made one for each girl, so they could carry on the family special plates and have their own heirloom.

Our finished table with other heirlooms included candy dishes from my mother-in-law and feathered wreath as a centerpiece along with bunny and duck taper candle holders from my mom.

We use to hide these plastic eggs for the girls during their morning Easter egg hunt when they were toddlers. Now they fill my new hurricanes on the dining table...such special memories of those Easter mornings.

Our dinner also included some old and new recipes.  I made my stand by Corn Souffle along with the favorite Sweet Dreams Jello and Pretzel salad.  I also tried a new side dish...English Pea Salad.  It went together so quickly and had incredible flavor for something so simple.

English Pea Salad

1 (20 or 24 ounce) package frozen baby peas
1 cup chopped celery
1/4 cup chopped green onions
2 hard boiled eggs, peeled and chopped
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1/2 cup Best Foods Olive Oil Mayonnaise
1 tsp. sugar
1 tsp. ground mustard
1 tsp. Lawry's Season Salt

Thaw bag of peas in refrigerator.

In a medium bowl, whisk mayonnaise, sugar, ground mustard and salt.  Add peas, celery, eggs, green onions and cheese.  Stir well to incorporate.

Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

One Year Ago: Pear Salad
Two Years Ago: Spaghetti Squash

May you have a Happy and Blessed Easter!

Bunny Bark and Blizzards

So there are snow days...and then there are SNOW DAYS!  Yesterday was sunny and 70 degrees and a beautiful sunset evening.  Mother Nature came in full force overnight and we woke up to over a foot of snow and blizzard wind conditions.  Looks like my patio and fire pit time is going to have to wait awhile.

Needless to say the girls were overjoyed when they found out school was cancelled.  My husband and I looked at the driveway, the road in front of our house and then at each other...looks like work is cancelled today too.  There was no way we were getting out today.

Well, driving to work that is.  Bless his heart, he was working with shovels, brooms and snow blowers trying to tackle the what was then 2 feet of snow compiled.

My job was to deal with two restless Labradors and two bored teenagers, while catching up on laundry and Blue Bloods...oh and listening to my husband upset that golf season won't start until June now...oh, please no!!  Please do not make me listen to that until June!!!

My poor new "Spring" wreath has seen better days.  It got pelted with wind and snow today...just can't get a break here!  I have also seen better days...no shower for this girl today (don't judge).  It is very rare that I get to have a "sea day"...or snow day as the case may be.  My family is lucky that I even got out of my pajamas today...at 2pm!!

Since I had the afternoon to get caught up on new recipes and baking, I played with a spring version of my Holly Jolly Bark that I made at Christmas.

The bark matched a precious tiered dessert platter my mom gave me perfectly.

Scrumptious little snack portions for those long snowy days.

Bunny Bark

7 full size graham crackers, broke in pieces (or 14 vanilla Oreo cookies)
1-1/2 cups pretzel sticks, broke in pieces
1 cup Easter/Spring pastel colored M&M's candies
1 pound vanilla flavored quick melting chocolate
pastel colored sprinkles

Line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper.  Lay out the broken graham crackers, pretzels and M&M's.

Melt the white chocolate bark according to package directions.  Pour melted chocolate over crackers, pretzels and candies.  Use an offset spatula to spread chocolate evenly and add the pastel sprinkles over chocolate.

Let set in refrigerator for one hour, so chocolate can set.  Cut into bite size pieces and package in Easter baskets.  (Use any leftover scraps from the sides as topping for ice cream -Yummy!!)

This is what transpires with bored teens at home...bunny bombed!!

One Year Ago: Pear Salad
Two Years Ago: Honey Ham Biscuit Sliders

Baked Shrimp Scampi and Bargain Shopping

Okay, that whole story I told you Monday about "signs of an early spring"...I lied!!  In fact, forget you ever read that, I'm sorry to report.  We woke up to 12 inches of snow this morning...needless to say the six of us (dogs included) at home were not in the greatest of spirits.  My husband was a trooper though as he fired up the snow blower and took care of our driveway and the neighbor's sidewalk so everyone could get out today.  I thanked him with a fresh batch of baked blueberry muffins to warm up his very frozen hands and face.

So, here is where I am this morning.

This is where I should and really want to be!!

Well, since I will be going this weekend without any backyard or patio time, looks like it will be inside house chores and some shopping.  I'm on the hunt for new everyday dishes.  It is taking me forever to find the perfect plates.  It took me all of 10 minutes to select my last vehicle, but I am now going on over a year trying to find these dishes.  I am so particular about the style, color, size, embellishments, shape etc..The ones we have must be at least ten years old and are starting to show signs of wear...kind of like me. 

At any rate, I love scouting out a good deal or bargain.  I am most definitely a fan of coupon clipping and downloading. Now mind you, I'm not like those "extreme couponing" households on tv.  I mean who really needs 27 containers of bulk mayonnaise?  Not to mention who has room for all that...but I say more power to them for trying to make a difference.  They did however get their own television series, so they must be doing something right.

I am one to hit the clearance area first, whenever I enter a store.  I try to find those hidden treasures before I go any further.  I found this container (which was originally in a canister set), being sold all alone, without its lid for $ 2.99...perfect for my whisks and baking utensils.  I also scored the coordinating coffee mug for .59 cents! There's only one and it's just for me...my special coffee mug.

If you are observing no meat Fridays for Lent or just want a quick, flavorful dinner, this dish is awesome.  I love how easy it is and can be very versatile, depending on your tastes.

Baked Shrimp Scampi
Inspired and Adapted by Damn Delicious

2 Tbl. chicken broth
2 Tbl. fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup Italian Seasoned Panko Japanese breadcrumbs
1/4 cup butter, melted
2 pounds medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
2 Tbl. olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/4-1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
2 Tbl. capers, drained
salt to taste
pepper to taste
2 Tbl. chopped fresh parsley leaves

1 box angel hair pasta, cook according to package directions
freshly shaved Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  Add chicken broth and lemon juice to a 9 x 13 baking dish; set aside.

In a small bowl, combine Panko and melted butter; set aside.

In a large bowl, combine shrimp, olive oil garlic, red pepper flakes and capers;  season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Add shrimp mixture in a single layer to the prepared baking dish.  Sprinkle evenly with Panko/butter mixture.

Place in oven and bake until bubbly and golden brown, about 10-12 minutes.

Serve immediately over angel hair pasta and garnish with parsley and Parmesan cheese.

Pairs beautifully with a fresh Caesar salad and chilled buttery Chardonnay.

Cheers and Stay Warm!!

One Year Ago: Blarney Bark
Two Years Ago: Tri Tip Tacos

Portillo's Chopped Salad...Possibilities of Spring

We are finally starting to see the early signs of spring...I hope!!)  These sweet little buds showed up near our driveway last week on all the bushes.  Unfortunately I made the mistake of looking at the weather forecast for this upcoming week...rain and snow.  So, true to Colorado weather, we truly never know what is going to show up.  Oh well, "spring" was nice while it lasted this weekend.

Since we were enjoying our short stint of sunny spring weather, we decided to grill a flatiron steak and enjoy a fresh salad.  Portillo's was one of our favorite road trip dinner stops in California.  The restaurant was about an hour from our house and it was perfect for the last stop before heading home after a long day on the road with family and not wanting to make dinner upon arrival.

It's a super easy and very flavorful salad, full of color and textures.  In my opinion, there's nothing like a great chopped salad. Even though they take more time to prepare, I just love all the small delicious bites. This salad would be perfect to serve if you are hosting an upcoming Easter brunch or even a summer backyard BBQ...when the snow finally melts that is.

Portillo's Copycat Chopped Salad
Serves 10 to 12

Dressing: **
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
2-3 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 cup olive oil

Salad:
4 cups, cooked, drained and cooled, Ditalini pasta (cook according to package directions)
3 cups iceberg lettuce, chopped
3 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
2 cups red cabbage, chopped
4 roma tomatoes, seeded and diced
1/2 cup green onions, finely diced
2 cups cooked chicken breasts, cubed
1 cup bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 4 ounce container Gorgonzola cheese crumbles

For the dressing, whisk all ingredients (or you can use a salad dressing shaker or blender) and set in refrigerator to fuse. ** I recommend to double the dressing, as it is a very large salad or you can always decrease the salad portion by half also though.

While the dressing is chilling, to assemble the salad, in a very large bowl, add all of the salad ingredients and toss well.  Shake dressing vigorously and drizzle all over the salad and toss again to incorporate.

Enjoy and Keep Those Sunny Spring Thoughts!!

One Year Ago: Luck of The Irish Cupcakes
Two Years Ago: Simply Salmon with Shrimp Tortellini

BBQ Glazed Meatloaf and Jack and The Beanstalk

One of the super fun things about turning 50 is experiencing the interesting changes that you start to see (or don't immediately see).

Everyone remembers the English fairytale of Jack and The Beanstalk...mother and son need food, boy meets old man, man gives boy some beans, mom gets mad and throws beans out the window, boy wakes up next morning to magical giant beanstalks, etc, etc...

Well, lately I have been feeling like Jack and waking up with a giant, magical piece of hair growing out of my cheek!!  This is not just a piece of peach fuzz mind you, this one lonely piece has to be an inch long!! What in the world is this all about???  I pray to God that when I do see it, that it was not there the day before and I had been walking around all day with this thing flying in the wind.  What's worse, is if it did just show up that morning, what the heck is happening to me at night for this to appear.  I'm afraid to go to sleep now...just watch the 1978 version of "Invasion Of The Body Snatchers" movie with Donald Sutherland and Brooke Adams...you'll know exactly what I am talking about...that movie still terrifies me to this day.

When I do see it with my groggy pre-coffee morning eyes, I hurry and start the hunt for tweezers. My days of plucking eyebrows are long gone, because for some strange reason, when you get older, your eyebrows stop growing and hair magically appears on your face!  I then start plucking everywhere on my cheeks, before my family can see it...at this point, I may as well just use my husband's razor.

So, the whole beanstalk story brings me to dinner...meatloaf, mashed potatoes, garlic cheese knots and green beans, of course!  I think I have tried over 100 meatloaf versions and still keep coming back to this one as our favorite.

I altered Traeger's original version simply because I don't like the taste of raw onions and I wanted to change it up with experimenting on a few of the other ingredients...my take on it is listed below.

BBQ Glazed Meatloaf

Adapted from Traeger Recipes

1 pound lean ground beef

1 pound Jimmy Dean Reduced Fat Pork Sausage (original flavor)

1 cup Panko Japanese bread crumbs

1 small yellow onion, sliced thinly

1 Tablespoon, barbecue rub seasoning mix (whatever is your favorite brand)

1 teaspoon Lawry's garlic salt

1 egg

1/2 cup milk

2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

2 Tablespoons Dijon mustard

1/2 cup of your favorite BBQ sauce (we like Stubb's Original)

In a saute pan, heat to medium and melt 3 Tablespoons butter.  When butter is sizzling, add the onions and saute until soft and starting to turn golden.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, bread crumbs, bbq seasoning and garlic salt.

In a separate bowl, whisk the egg and milk.  Add the Worcestershire sauce, and mustard.  Add the liquid ingredients and cooked onions to the meat mixture.  Mix with your hands until all ingredients are incorporated.

Spray a disposable 8" x 8" foil pan with non-stick spray.  Form the meat into a loaf shape in the pan.

Pour the bbq sauce on top of loaf and spread evenly.

**We prefer to make this meatloaf on our Traeger at 350 degrees for 50 to 60 minutes.  You can do the same temperature and timing method in your oven by baking it instead with same results (you just won't have the smoky flavoring added).

If there are any leftovers, this meatloaf makes an unbelievable slider sandwich on King's Hawaiian Rolls.  Just slice the meatloaf, warm it up by searing in pan with melted butter on both sides and serve on rolls with bbq sauce, melted Monterey-Jack cheese and French's Fried Onions. Over-The-Top!!!

Enjoy and "Keep On Pluck'n"!

One Year Ago: 24 Hour Salad

Two Years Ago:Chili-Cheese Egg Bake

Wisdom...(Words and Teeth) and Prosciutto-Wrapped Chicken

We are now 24 hours into my daughter's wisdom teeth surgery and her recovery.  Bless her heart she was amazing through the entire procedure.  Her first time under anesthesia and any type of surgery. She is so strong and resilient and never complained all day.

The hardest part is trying to give words of wisdom and comfort someone who is under the influence and is not making any sense.  She had a couple of good one liners during the ride home and I had to hide my laughter.  At one point she had me in tears I was laughing so hard at her off the wall comments, coming off her drugs.

Ice Packs, Meds Schedule, Guaze...check, check and check.

Leave it to me the "list lady" to write down the times of meds schedule so I wouldn't forget or get the two crossed.  The nurses were saying so many instructions as we were checking out my head was spinning and knew I had to write it all down when we returned home.

Serenity now for my patient.

When we got home, I lit every candle in the house for my little patient.  I closed the blinds, got her settled on the Family Room couch, complete with her favorite Seahawks blanket, and kept a very serene environment for her recovery.

Theo, best nurse assistant ever!  Giving his best healing love to his friend.

Her greatest friend, protector and now nurse, Theo, did a great job sharing his love and helping her heal.  I think all the serenity candles (and blanket) made for a day of napping for him as well.

So, the three of us enjoyed our "Blue Bloods" marathon on tv and we settled in for a day of rest. When everyone came home for the night, it was time for me to go from nurse, to chef.

Super easy chicken dish I found on Pinterest a few weeks ago and just got around to making it.  The Bon Appetit website had an amazing looking Eggplant Panzanella and Raisin-Pine Nut Vinaigrette to accompany it, but I was too exhausted to take that on...going to need to save that for another night.

Prosciutto-Wrapped Chicken
Adapted from bonappetit.com

6 (6-ounce) skinless boneless chicken breast halves
8 ounces Taleggio cheese, rind trimmed, cheese cut into six 2-inch long slices
12 thin slices prosciutto

** for my own sauce:
2 cups chicken broth
2 Tbl. dijon mustard
1/4 cup heavy cream

Place chicken breasts on work surface.  Using sharp knife and starting at thickest side of 1 chicken breast, cut 2-inch long, 1-inch deep horizontal pocket, being careful not to cut through completely to other side of breast.  Insert 1 piece of cheese in pocket and press opening closed.  Sprinkle chicken with a little salt and pepper.  Place 2 prosciutto slices side by side on work surface, slightly overlapping on long sides.  Place 1 chicken breast crosswise atop center of prosciutto slices;  wrap prosciutto slices around chicken, covering completely and pressing to adhere.  Repeat with remaining chicken, cheese and prosciutto.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Heat 1 tablespoon oil in large skillet over medium-high heat.  Add 3 chicken breasts to skillet and cook until browned, about 4 minutes each side.  Transfer chicken to large baking sheet and repeat with other 3 chicken breasts. ** Save skillet drippings and remnants for sauce.

Roast in oven approximately 15-20 minutes (or until cooked through).  Transfer cooked chicken to cutting board and let rest 5 minutes.

**While the chicken is roasting deglaze skillet you cooked chicken in with the chicken broth on high heat.  Scrape up all the prosciutto and chicken bits with broth.  Turn heat to low and whisk in dijon mustard.  Take off heat and whisk in heavy cream.  Let simmer until chicken is done in oven.

One Year Ago: Spicy Asian Beef
Two Years Ago: Tapenade Pasta Salad

One Pot Chili Mac and Cheese and One Heck of A Month

To say that I am so happy that February is over today, would be an understatement.  It has been one doozer of a month.

It all started off with having to say good-bye to my "dinosaur" phone of 3 years.  $$$ I am now an iPhone mom...I know what you're thinking...Apple is now up to,  I don't know,  iPhone 37 at this point, and I am just now getting one...I know!!

Then it was time to renew my four year old eyeglass prescription (now that I am 50 years old).$$$

A week later, my husband's computer decided it didn't want to cooperate...ever again. Now we have a new computer. $$$$

Friday last week my girls' vehicle decided it didn't want to start and got to take a nice little tow ride...I can't even think about where that is going to go this week.

...and speaking of later this week, my oldest daughter needs wisdom teeth $$$$$$$urgery.

In my wise old age though, I have learned that I need to value and appreciate these obstacles and not complain because....

• I am thankful that I can have a new phone to stay in touch with my family and friends.
• I am thankful that I still have the vision to see all the beauty that God creates every day
• I am thankful for a new computer for my husband to continue his work.
• I am thankful that we were even able to purchase a vehicle for my daughters and they were home when car didn't start, and not stranded somewhere.
• I am thankful for healthy children.

All that being said, I still need a little comfort for those trying days and have been searching out easy, affordable and comfort dishes.  This one hit the spot!  So, pull up a pot of this soup and continue to be thankful for those less than perfect days because remember, there are never any bad days...just some days are better than others.

One Pot Chili Mac and Cheese
Adapted from damndelicious.net

1 Tbl olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 onion, diced
8 ounces ground beef
4 cups chicken broth
1 (14.5) ounce canned diced tomatoes
3/4 cup canned white kidney beans, drained and rinsed
3/4 cup canned kidney beans, drained and rinsed
2 tsp. chili powder
1-1/2 tsp. cumin
salt and pepper to taste
10 ounces, uncooked elbow macaroni pasta
3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Optional:
2 Tbl. chopped fresh parsley leaves
Sour Cream
Avocado, peeled and diced

Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium high heat.  Add garlic, onion and ground beef, and cook until browned, about 3-5 minutes, making sure to crumble the beef as it cooks;  drain excess fat.

Stir in chicken broth, tomatoes, beans, chili powder and cumin;  season with salt and pepper, to taste.  Bring to a simmer and stir in pasta.  Bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat and simmer until pasta is cooked through, about 15 minutes.

Remove from heat.  Top with cheese and cover until melted, about 2 minutes.

Serve immediately, garnished with parsley, sour cream and/or avocado, if desired.

One Year Ago:  Chicken and Dumplings
Two Years Ago: Original Peanut Coleslaw

Surviving 50 and The Birthday Flirtini

Well it's over...I said good-bye to my 40's and hello to 50 this past weekend.  I made it.  It's been a long time coming and I'm ready to see what life has for me these next ten years.

This is how I started my birthday....

I came downstairs to giant helium balloons, crepe paper streamers and happy birthday banners strewn throughout the house.  My husband was up at 4am decorating for my special morning and I was shocked as I tried to focus on everything and the daily stagger to my coffee.

When I got everyone out of the house, my next gift was almost ready to arrive.  House Cleaners!!!! Yes, when you hit 50 the only gift you want is for someone to come professionally clean your house. What a treat!!!  It had been many years since I had a cleaning service and I missed it so!  Nothing like the smell of Clorox to put you in the birthday spirit!!

The aroma of cleaners quickly became overrun with that of flowers.  The florist, UPS and postman just kept coming all day long.  I felt like the most blessed, loved and luckiest person all day long. Truly beautiful bouquets that I wish I could freeze in time and keep everyday.

After the house was cleaned and deliveries were complete, it was time for some special girl bonding and lunch with my daughters at Cheese Importers for some decadent paninis and dessert.  They brought us our carrot cake and macaroons first...worked for me!! We indulged in our sweets before the sandwiches came...another thing you get to do in your 50's!!

Next, I was off to my hair appointment.  I had enough of my $7.99 boxed color and decided to treat myself to a real colorist to nurture me and my "highlights", we'll just say.  She foiled me up and as I sat there waiting for the miracle of modern chemistry to process I looked around and saw every other woman there was around plus/minus 60 years old getting their hair done.  I smiled to myself and thought, it's official...I am old and now part of the "Friday afternoon wash and set club".  How did this happen??!!

I went home with my new "hot momma do" and changed for cocktails and dinner.  We started with a birthday flirtini, then dinner at Bonefish Grill for an amazing night and my husband even snuck in a Black Forrest Cake from our favorite Romana Cake House.

At the end of the day, I pray for many, many more years and am so thankful and blessed for the birthdays I have been given to this point of my life.  Cheers!

This is how I ended my birthday...

Birthday Flirtinini

2 ounces white cranberry juice cocktail
1 ounce good vodka
1/2 ounce X-Rated Fusion Liqueur
1 ounce Prosecco sparkling wine

Combine the cranberry juice cocktail, vodka and liqueur in an ice-filled martini shaker.
Shake gently and strain into a large chilled martini glass.  Top with Prosecco.


One Year Ago: Purple Potion #49
Two Years Ago: Chocolate Layered Pudding

Mexican Grilled Shrimp Caesar Salad...I'm Back

After a month of being on hiatus (from blogging that is)...I am back.  January was a month of recovery from holidays, birthdays, preparing for the new year, taking on some new additional duties and mourning the loss of friends who unexpectedly passed away, which carried a lot of emotional sadness at year's end.

It is now a new year and a new month today.  I am on the golden passage countdown and in 19 days I will be turning 50 years old.  While getting a long overdue and much deserved pedicure last week, I read a great quote from Julia Louis Dreyfus..."I try to push worry down and pull the Spanx up!", when asked how she deals with aging.  LOVE THIS!!  That has to be, without a doubt my motto!

So, in between pulling my Spanx up and trying to keep my worrying down, I am back in the competition volleyball gyms and traveling with our girls and team tournament catering every other weekend.  I am in awe of how far they have come in this sport and in their maturity and growth. They are now looking at colleges and we are praying for recruitment and scholarships to see them through their college dreams.

As always, our schedules have been beyond hectic, so quick, "post holiday figure friendly" meals have been trying to make it to the table.  I am typically the one in the house that is craving shrimp (of any kind) and my husband will always be the first one who wants "The Big Salad", (if you were an avid fan of the Seinfeld tv show, you will remember Elaine's Big Salad episode - hilarious!!).

Needless to say, I was able to pull together the best of both worlds and we had this amazing shrimp salad. It has the perfect amount of crunch, flavors and was an awesome light dinner for the two of us.

Mexican Grilled Shrimp Caesar Salad

1/4 cup pepitas (hulled pumpkin seeds)

1 pound peeled and deveined large shrimp

1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper

5 Tbl. olive oil (divided)

salt and pepper

1 Tbl. red wine vinegar

1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

1 clove garlic, finely chopped

1 small head romaine lettuce, leaves torn to bite size pieces

1/2 small jicama, peeled and cut into matchsticks

1 small avocado, peeled and diced

1/2 cup crumbled Cotija cheese

1/2 cup seasoned tortilla strips

Heat oven to 350 degrees.  Spread pepitas on a rimmed baking sheet and toast in oven until fragrant, approximately 6 to 8 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside to cool.

Heat grill (or you can cook on a grill pan inside on cooktop) to medium-high.  In a medium bowl, toss the shrimp with the cayenne, 1 Tbl of oil, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.  Grill until opaque throughout, 2 to 3 minutes per side.

In a large bowl, combine the vinegar, Worcestershire, garlic, remaining 4 Tbl. olive oil and whisk well.  Add the lettuce, jicama, pepitas, shrimp, and avocado and toss with dressing to combine.  Plate salad and top with Cotija cheese and tortilla strips.

**Note: You may want to double this dressing portions, if you're like me and don't want an overly dry salad.

One Year Ago: Sweet Dreams Cake

Two Years Ago: Ham and Cheese Biscuit Bake