Sunday, August 23, 2009

Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats

As I celebrated the big 26 this weekend in Evansville, I remembered, I have a blog. A very very sad blog with lack of posts. So what if I don't have a camera, if it's worthy enough, it can be visually described.

My late birthday weekend was filled with food. I had a delicious angel food cake (made by Betty Crocker herself) topped with the freshest of fresh berries. And my mother has apparently been keeping up with my food blog because I received a brand spanking new rolling pin for my birthday. Yes, you heard that correctly. Goodbye empty Svedka vodka bottle, hello delicious wood rolling pin. I also got a hand mixer, can opener, and mixing bowls. Who knew a 26 year old would be so thrilled over such commodities.

We also ventured out to take in the new flick Julie and Julia. If you haven't gone, you should. It is fabulous. If I only had the blogging/cooking skills as portrayed in the movie. Well, for one, I'd be enormous. The main ingredient in each dish is butter. But honestly, quite a good film.

Since I can't simply post about my fabulous weekend, that did come complete with the best 60 minute massage ever, I have posted a new favorite snack.

Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats
You make these the traditional way, bag of marshmallows, stick of butter, small box of krispies. However, try adding about 1/3 cup - 1/2 cup peanut butter while melting the marshmallows and butter. Your taste buds will thank me, your gut, not so much. I could have eaten 1/2 the pan the first night. Luckily these were going to the local Gilda's club, so none stayed in my kitchen!

Enjoy, and I promise to not abandon you anymore poor blog.

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Goulash, or something like it




First and foremost, I apologize for the picture. My camera bit the dust shortly after the upload. Thank goodness I have a birthday coming up, hint hint.


Growing up, everyone has that one food that they hate, well, I had many, but the one that you hate, and then as you get older, you love. Mine was my mom's goulash.


Goulash, well, sort of, kind of goulash. Each member of my family makes this completely differently but for some reason it all has the same name. This is my version.


My Version

Small Onion

Clove of Garlic

Green Pepper

Half bag veggie crumbles

Big can diced tomatoes

Cooked elbow macaroni (use your best judgement, I went with half the package)

Salt

Pepper


Cut up vegetables and cook with veggie crumbles until they are no longer frozen(the veggie crumbles that is). Add diced tomatoes, 2 pinches salt, 2 pinches pepper. Stir until hot. Add to cooked, drained noodles and season to taste.


You can use ground beef, but, I don't like to touch it so I opted for veggie crumbles. You all missed the bison steaks I cooked up this weekend, hehe.
*Note, there is no mention of the corn, it tasted like earth.

Saturday, August 1, 2009

homemade mayo!!

i dont eat it very often so there is really no point in buying it.  but, while bobby was here for the 4th of july i was cooking like a mad woman and realized that i needed some for the coleslaw i was making.  i didnt want to go to the store and richard and bobby had downed an entire bottle of jager in 30 minutes so they werent going either....
hummm... what is a girl to do???
make her own, of course!!! :)


this recipe is so so so simple!!
ingredients:
1 egg
1 tablespoon mustard
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon white vinegar
2 teaspoon powdered sugar
1 1/4  cup canola oil


mix everything except oil together in a blender.  NOTE:  ALL INGREDIENTS NEED TO BE ROOM TEMP!  slowly add oil while continuously blending.  i actually doubled everything because i was making avocado ranch mayo.  (hence the empty avocado and ranch packaging)  for that i used 1/2 cup mayo, 1/2 cup sour cream, 1 avocado and 1 packet of hidden valley ranch dry mix.  mash up the avocado and mix everything else in with it.  it is really really good  :)

comfort food

i dont know what my deal has been lately but ive been craving carbs!  i didnt exactly know what i wanted but i know i wanted to feel full.  so, while richard was playing with his toys (aka turntables) i decided to make something yummy and this is what came about....

i took this recipe and made my own little version of it.




ingredients:
12 ounce package dry gemelli (its pasta... use whatever you want)
small onion
1 pound fake sausage
1/2 cup white wine
1 15 ounce jar spaghetti sauce
6 ounce can of tomato paste
14.5 ounce can of fire roasted tomatoes
shredded cheese... the more, the better :)


preheat oven to 400.  you will also need to start boiling water for the pasta and get that going.


chop up that onion.  i cant get enough of my nicer dicer.  it is the best thing i have in my kitchen right now... until i get my kitchenaid standing mixer.  dont worry nicer dicer, i will still love you equally.


you will need to brown the meat.  obviously, you dont have to use fake sausage but sausage is needed for this recipe.  so, for you meat lovers... go ahead and eat little wilbur.  anyway... once you start to cook the sausage, add the onion and cook until evenly brown.  (if you are using real meat, once the meat is finished cooking make sure to drain that nasty, greasy fat)  then add the wine, spaghetti sauce, fire roasted tomatoes and tomato paste.  simmer for about 10 minutes.  stir occasionally.  (are you jealous of my cast iron skillets?  its ok, you can be) :)


next toss pasta with the sausage mixture.  from this point, you can do what you like.  you can throw this is a greased 9x13 pan, cover it with cheese and bake it or you can layer it.  one layer pasta, one layer cheese, one layer pasta, one layer cheese... you get the point.  (layering is what i did)  


bake for about 20-25 minutes and then enjoy!!! :)


it was really really really good.... this recipe is very versatile and super easy to make.  you can add and take out whatever you want.  since it is just me and the boy, this dish lasted us all week.  well, i also make eggplant parmesan so between the 2 of those dishes we were set! :)