tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-280174622023-11-15T10:55:07.640-05:00Newtonienne NoshesReflections on chasing the dream and eating a good meal while hot on its trail.MJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02875320493615392575noreply@blogger.comBlogger115125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28017462.post-59555436974525351772014-06-26T20:28:00.002-05:002014-06-26T20:31:22.624-05:00Chocolate Malt Cupcakes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r0sT_aRrpKU/U6zH15ccrCI/AAAAAAAABBI/wgKr1yCtxNQ/s1600/IMG_0667.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r0sT_aRrpKU/U6zH15ccrCI/AAAAAAAABBI/wgKr1yCtxNQ/s1600/IMG_0667.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I can’t believe it has been over three months since I last
posted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I chalk this up to general
busyness, distractions and denial.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve
had such a jam-packed three months what with travel to Florida for my work’s <a href="http://instagram.com/p/n85NyklnuN/?modal=true"><span style="color: purple;">Annual Meeting</span></a>,
traveling one last time sans-child to <a href="http://instagram.com/p/oroBmeFnjv/?modal=true"><span style="color: purple;">North Carolina</span></a> and <a href="http://instagram.com/p/o9fwJyFnjz/?modal=true"><span style="color: purple;">Virginia</span></a> for baby showers,
and general anticipation as we are less than one month away from Baby Girl
Samuel’s due date.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That last part is
what I’m in denial about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am so
excited to meet her yet still in awe/anxious that this little girl, who doesn’t
have very far to go to come into this world, seems to be worlds away from our
life now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet I know she will fit into
it as if she’s always been here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
familiar mystery of her fascinates me every second of my day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And as these weeks have passed and I’ve hit the halfway mark
of my pregnancy, or finally entered the third trimester, and now move into this
last month, I feel like I’m getting to know her more and more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m learning that she loves it when I eat,
or I anticipate eating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A plate of food
could be put in front of me and I feel the kicks of excitement immediately,
before even a bite is taken.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There must
be something that happens mentally in my body that transmits to her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope she keeps that love of food once she
is in this world. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XR_Bw0KtSvw/U6zH1sDlBWI/AAAAAAAABBE/Yda4ufO4b18/s1600/IMG_0664.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XR_Bw0KtSvw/U6zH1sDlBWI/AAAAAAAABBE/Yda4ufO4b18/s1600/IMG_0664.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She is also camera shy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>At doctor’s appointments, she has repeatedly turned away from the
sonogram wand or the Doppler and made it difficult to read her heartbeat or get
a good glimpse of her preciousness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At
the end of one sonogram session when we were trying to get all the relevant
anatomy measurements (which ended up requiring a second follow-up visit the
next week), we were giving up when she gave us a <a href="http://instagram.com/p/lhzmdRSytk/?modal=true">coy little smile</a> that
seemed to imply she knew she was being difficult.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And that she was enjoying it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s hope she doesn’t keep that tendency
once she is in this world!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So even with my absence in posting recipes, it doesn’t mean
I haven’t been cooking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It just means my
mind is running in many directions and it’s hard to lasso them into a cohesive
post.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I’ll share with you these
Chocolate Malt Cupcakes. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These boast a
classic flavor combination for a summer potluck or picnic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">
Chocolate Malt Cupcakes</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Adapted from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Martha-Stewarts-Cupcakes-Inspired-Everyones/dp/0307460444" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">Martha Stewart Cupcakes</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">For the Cupcakes</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2 ¼ cups all-purpose
flour<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">¾ cup unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">½ cup granulated sugar<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">¾ cup packed light-brown sugar<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 ½ teaspoons baking soda<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">½ teaspoon salt<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 cup milk<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 ¼ cup malted milk powder<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 cup vegetable oil<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3 large eggs<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 cup sour cream<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 recipe Vanilla Frosting<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">24-28 Whoppers<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line two
standard muffin tins with paper liners.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Whisk together the first six dry ingredients (flour, cocoa, both sugars,
baking soda, and salt).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Combine the milk and milk powder in another bowl until dissolved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With a mixer on medium-high speed, beat flour
mixture, milk mixture and oil until combined.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Add sour cream and vanilla.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Beat
until combined.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Divide batter among the
cups evenly (about halfway to the top).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Bake for 20 minutes or until cake tester comes out clean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>About half way through the twenty minutes, rotate the pans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Frost with Vanilla Frosting and top with
Whoppers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">For the Vanilla Frosting</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 ½ cups unsalted butter, room temperature<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 pound confectioners’ sugar<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In an electric mixer, beat butter on medium-high speed about
2 minutes until pale and creamy. Add the confections’ sugar a half a cup at a
time, beating on medium speed until incorporated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After every two additions of sugar, raise the speed to
high and beat for ten seconds to fluff the frosting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Once all sugar has been added, a</span>dd vanilla and beat until smooth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If not
frosting immediately, store in refrigerator up to 10 days in an airtight
container.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bring frosting to room
temperature before frosting.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />MJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02875320493615392575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28017462.post-26962230966088112502014-03-24T21:09:00.004-05:002014-03-24T21:34:17.364-05:00Jalapeno Popper White Bean Chili<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rnCRpyXsNWg/UzDkqAb3YSI/AAAAAAAAA8U/A77o0cW_yWw/s1600/IMG_3288a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rnCRpyXsNWg/UzDkqAb3YSI/AAAAAAAAA8U/A77o0cW_yWw/s1600/IMG_3288a.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">Spring is such a tease. I may not be very familiar with the concept of 'teasing' because I am not the most flirtatious person (unlike a certain, smiling </span><span style="color: purple;"><a href="http://instagram.com/p/lhzmdRSytk/" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">spaghetti squash-sized baby</span></a> </span><span style="color: #222222;">flirting through the sonogram screen) but I can tell when I'm being teased with and spring is not being very subtle about it. With just a couple 55+ degree days in the past month, and a high of 38 tomorrow (on March 25th), and the constant restoring/unstoring of my snow boots . . . I get it. Spring is not to be trusted. I only hope that in a month she will have proven me wrong and shown what a wonderful, magical season she can be before she hands the days off to the heat of summer.</span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1Vv1f5JhBjA/UzDkrILGd9I/AAAAAAAAA8c/hJ-8AnwJH7w/s1600/IMG_3281a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1Vv1f5JhBjA/UzDkrILGd9I/AAAAAAAAA8c/hJ-8AnwJH7w/s1600/IMG_3281a.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />Parallel these irritations with Duke's unfortunate early exit from the NCAA tournament on Friday (before 2:30 pm), and I am seeking comfort in some more hearty fare. This chili is easy, full of fiber and protein, and incredibly filling. I made this for a couple friends and their two-year-old son. Everyone enjoyed it -- even the toddler. He is a budding chef, I believe, because he took the chips and salsa I had put out as appetizers and dipped the chips in the chili. Genius. Future leftovers will be ladled profusely over a plate of tortilla chips, topped with crumbled bacon and sour cream -- then devoured in that manner. </span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As with most slow cooker recipes, it makes a ton so hopefully, once you finish the leftovers, the temperatures outside will finally be a glimpse of the warmer months ahead. </span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Jalapeno Popper White Bean Chili</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">Adapted from </span><a href="http://www.melskitchencafe.com/2014/01/slow-cooker-jalapeno-popper-white-bean-chili.html"><span style="color: purple;">Mel's Kitchen Cafe</span></a></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 yellow onion, medium, chopped</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and chopped</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3 cloves garlic, minced </span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 bell pepper, diced</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 pound chicken breasts, boneless and skinless</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 teaspoon chili powder</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 teaspoon ground cumin</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 teaspoon dried oregano</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 14-ounce can diced tomatoes</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">4 cups low-sodium chicken broth</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">12 ounces dry white beans, picked through to remove any bad beans/stones and rinsed (I used white kidney beans -- very important to rinse these!)</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 teaspoon salt</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1/2 teaspoon pepper</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">8 ounces light cream cheese, cubed</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 cup frozen corn kernels</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div style="color: #222222;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In a slow cooker, add all ingredients except the cream cheese and corn. Cook on low for 7 - 9 hours (I actually ended up cooking mine for about ten - eleven hours and it was fine). Remove the chicken and shred into pieces. Return chicken to the slow cooker and stir in the cubed cream cheese and the corn. Cook for another 15 minutes or until the cream cheese is melted and the corn is cooked through. Stir to make sure everything is incorporated. Serve with desired toppings like sour cream, cheese, crumbled bacon, salsa, tortilla chips, etc. </span></div>
MJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02875320493615392575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28017462.post-62023275417405486192014-03-06T19:54:00.000-05:002014-03-06T19:54:23.121-05:00Honey Chipotle Spiced Glazed Almonds<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UHy5p7wDJOg/UxkX4t5ZtXI/AAAAAAAAA7I/aX4K8DTWfvQ/s1600/IMG_3311a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UHy5p7wDJOg/UxkX4t5ZtXI/AAAAAAAAA7I/aX4K8DTWfvQ/s1600/IMG_3311a.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Now that <a href="http://instagram.com/p/kV71puFnkp/" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">Baby Girl Samuel</span></a> is half-way baked (as of
tomorrow), Robbie and I are busy thinking of things we want to teach her, show
her and basically force upon her so she turns into the perfect combination of
the two of us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These things include a
love for food,<span style="color: purple;"> <a href="http://instagram.com/p/lL5b_yFnuk/" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">diabetic cats</span></a></span>, and most importantly, a love for Duke
University.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Particularly a deep and
abiding support of its athletics department and specifically its basketball
team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of our friends realize this
and are <a href="http://instagram.com/p/lGs83klnjt/" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">showering her with gifts</span></a>, quickly falling into first place for
godparent (just kidding, Alexis).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Nonetheless, we live and breathe Duke basketball in this
apartment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Robbie, for example, would
like to name the baby Jabari-a Parker Samuel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Unfortunately for him, I am holding the lead in the name race with Mary
Jordan Samuel, Jr.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ll see who wins
out. I hope for her sake, neither of us do.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y-kLmjQgt7I/UxkX6DqgboI/AAAAAAAAA7Q/QbcIcgYwzwg/s1600/IMG_3307a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y-kLmjQgt7I/UxkX6DqgboI/AAAAAAAAA7Q/QbcIcgYwzwg/s1600/IMG_3307a.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This weekend is a big game for Duke.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We play that other school down the road
(bless their hearts) in what should be an emotional and action-packed game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are coming off of a loss and UNC is coming
off of a somewhat mediocre season (although they beat Duke in Chapel Hill) and
some pretty serious fraudulent academic allegations, which have been an
absolute delight to follow in the news.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So Saturday night should be fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I imagine a lot of friends back in North
Carolina will be watching it and should they be looking for some munchies to
enjoy during the game, I recommend these almonds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are sweet and spicy (but not too spicy)
and incredibly easy to make.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I used to
think fancy nuts were something I had to spend $5.00/ounce on but nope, hit up
the bulk bin at your local grocery store and make some fancy ones
yourself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At least you can enjoy some
good snacks during the game no matter the outcome for your team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Honey Chipotle Spiced Glazed Almonds<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Adapted slightly from <a href="http://asouthernfairytale.com/2014/01/30/honey-chipotle-spiced-almonds/"><span style="color: purple;">A
Southern Fairytale</span></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 lb raw almonds<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3 Tbsp butter<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3 Tbsp honey<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1/2 tsp kosher salt<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 tsp chipotle pepper powder<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1/4 tsp cinnamon<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1/2 tsp garlic powder<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2 Tbsp granulated white sugar<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 Tbsp dark brown sugar<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kosher Salt (optional)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Preheat your oven to 325°F and prepare rimmed baking sheet
with parchment paper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In a medium
saucepan, heat the honey, butter and salt until melted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once the mixture is melted and starts to
simmer, remove the saucepan from the heat and add almonds, stirring with a
rubber spatula until all almonds have been coated with the mixture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dump the almonds onto your prepared baking
sheet and spread them evenly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bake
almonds for 10 minutes then stir them once.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Bake the almonds for another five minutes and stir them once more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bake for five more minutes and remove them
from the oven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While the almonds are
baking, mix your spices together – the chipotle chili powder, cinnamon, garlic
powder and sugars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once you’ve removed
the almonds from the oven, sprinkle the mixed spices onto the nuts and toss
them on the baking sheet with a spatula until fully coated. (NOTE: The original
recipe recommends you line a counter or additional baking sheet with parchment
to do this step but I was too lazy and didn’t want to dirty another baking
sheet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, what New York City
apartment has extra counter space?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Certainly not this one.) Sprinkle with kosher salt to add an extra bite
of saltiness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let them cool on the sheet
and periodically stir them to keep them from sticking together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You may have to do some declumping as they
cool but that just gives you an excuse to eat a mixture of hardened butter,
honey, salt and spices.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
MJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02875320493615392575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28017462.post-27809194014937653252014-02-17T19:12:00.000-05:002014-02-17T19:15:22.027-05:00Thai Red Curry Chicken<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v94i0I_rGAw/UwKkHPQzdMI/AAAAAAAAA6M/cXGVFGPJJmA/s1600/IMG_3337a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v94i0I_rGAw/UwKkHPQzdMI/AAAAAAAAA6M/cXGVFGPJJmA/s1600/IMG_3337a.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I have some explaining to do. My regular posts of the <a href="http://thenewtonienne.blogspot.com/2014/01/swiss-chard-casserole-with-farfalle-and.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">last month</span></a> <a href="http://thenewtonienne.blogspot.com/2014/01/black-eyed-pea-stew-with-sausage-and.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">or so</span></a> have masked what has been a pretty crazy end of 2013 and beginning
of 2014.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Robbie re-aggravated a high school back injury in December that
led to meetings with surgeons and neurologists and concluded with back surgery
two weeks ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ve had epic amounts of
snowfall and very cold temperatures daily so it made traipsing from Robbie’s hospital
back to the apartment to his mom’s hotel where he stayed for a few nights <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and finally back to the apartment last weekend
a bit of an adventure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Meanwhile, Robbie
is on strict orders not to lift anything over 5 pounds or do any repetitive
bending.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I have been carrying his
groceries, his overnight bag to/from hospital and dealing with Newt’s needs the
past couple weeks (and for the next four) all while managing a body that is 4+-months
pregnant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Yes, that’s right, we made it ‘<a href="http://instagram.com/p/kV71puFnkp/" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">official</span></a>’ last week after
we got the additional news that the baby is a girl (at least that’s what two doctors
and an ultrasound technologist reported). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are both in awe that we are bringing a
being into this crazy life we live and that we get to introduce one of our
favorite cities to this small person who, we hope, will find the magic in it as
much as we do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We find it even more
surreal that we are having a daughter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We were both a little apprehensive at first – ‘Is it better or worse to
live in New York City with a baby girl?’ ‘Is the name we are leaning towards
going to garner criticism from our New York peers?’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And for me, being a female myself, I remember
all the self-esteem struggles of middle-school years (and even those issues
that remain today) and wonder if I can be as supportive a mother as my own was
and continues to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Plus this baby, if it arrives on time, will be
a Leo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just like me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Poor Robbie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Several things are known for sure though:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->We are blessed to be experiencing this entire
process and how the body just seems to know what it needs to do – with
relatively few aches and pains.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had
minimal sickness and have been feeling relatively normal with the exception of
some tighter pants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Talk to me in July
though during the throes of a New York City summer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->We are so excited to bring a little bit of
Samuel-Mullinax blood into this world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Twenty bucks says she’ll have dimples and a bit of wit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->This little girl, who we haven’t even met, is
already so loved and obsessed over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her
pictures already hang on the refrigerator and she is in our thoughts
constantly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess this starts the next
‘forever’ of worrying and thinking about her wellbeing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->The only odd pregnancy side effect was my
aversion to sweets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the first couple
of months I lost my sweet tooth and craved only salty and comforting
things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chilis, soups, ramen bowls, etc.
were all I wanted. That has since changed, which has greatly helped my daily
sodium intake.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Due to this last point, and the fact that it is so cold out,
Robbie and I have been exploring with more home-cooked meals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We anticipate mealtimes will be an important
part in rearing this child since, as you now, food is a pleasure for both of us
and we hope to share that with her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All
signs at this point suggest Baby Girl Samuel has been enjoying them as well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HzVmUwjyvA8/UwKkIAtp7VI/AAAAAAAAA6U/7nA0e9SOjho/s1600/IMG_3329a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HzVmUwjyvA8/UwKkIAtp7VI/AAAAAAAAA6U/7nA0e9SOjho/s1600/IMG_3329a.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We made this dish for two reasons: Valentine’s Day and in
honor of the news we will be having a baby girl -- a stretch, I know, but the
coloring is more Team Pink than anything else, right?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The dish has gotten even better as each day
passes as the flavors meld and merge into something a little more complex.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A fact, according to my mother, that can
apply to parenthood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each stage of a
child’s life is better than the one before it, as he or she grows, learns and
develops.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll be sure to report back over the next 18
years and let you know if I agree.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Thai Red Curry Chicken<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Adapted slightly from <a href="http://www.eatliverun.com/thai-red-curry-chicken/"><span style="color: purple;">Eat, Live, Run</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 to 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut
into bite-sized pieces<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 tbsp coconut oil (I used refined)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3 cups coconut milk<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 1/2 cups water<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3 tbsp red curry paste<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2 baby bok choy, chopped<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 inch knob ginger, grated<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 cup snow peas, cut in half<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2 sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced into thin discs<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 1/2 tsp sugar<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2 tsp fish sauce<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">juice of 1 lime<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 tsp salt<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">cooked white rice <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Heat the coconut oil in a large pot over medium high heat. Add
the ginger and sauté until fragrant. Add the chicken and stir, cooking until not
quite cooked through. Add the curry paste and continue to sauté over high heat
for another couple minutes. Pour in the coconut milk and water. Add the bok
choy, bell pepper, snow peas and sweet potatoes. Bring curry to a boil (this
took us a bit longer than expected.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Reduce
heat and simmer. Stir in the fish sauce, salt, lime juice and sugar. Continue
simmering over medium/low heat until veggies are soft, about 8 – 10 minutes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Serve in bowls over white rice.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
MJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02875320493615392575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28017462.post-57237975977240558522014-01-20T20:13:00.004-05:002014-01-20T20:13:47.914-05:00Swiss Chard Casserole with Farfalle and Cheeses<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uBMx6EFWEWs/Ut3HcMwI7qI/AAAAAAAAA5c/nfAGZP4yRxk/s1600/IMG_3273a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uBMx6EFWEWs/Ut3HcMwI7qI/AAAAAAAAA5c/nfAGZP4yRxk/s1600/IMG_3273a.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Happy Martin Luther King, Jr. Day!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope you were able to do something civic-minded this long
weekend (if you are getting a long weekend) even if it was just being kind to
the opposing football teams’ fans regardless of whether your team won or
lost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As volunteer and
human-rights oriented as MLK was, it is appropriate that he continues his
legacy by giving us a three day weekend in January.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The man keeps on giving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We are gearing up in New York City for some football.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Super Bowl teams are set and the
Super Bowl-themed flags on light posts, along the side of city buses and in the
subways are running rampant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is
going to be interesting to see what the next two weeks bring us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I promise that I will venture out to
see what some of the festivities are and report back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Either way, the weather looks like it will be a chilly one
since we are hovering just below freezing for the next ten days it seems – and they
are calling for six-ten inches of snow tomorrow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dS56A9kGdU0/Ut3HbM6suzI/AAAAAAAAA5U/lDiDtEHoAYM/s1600/IMG_3266a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dS56A9kGdU0/Ut3HbM6suzI/AAAAAAAAA5U/lDiDtEHoAYM/s1600/IMG_3266a.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Because of the chill, I fear I’ve been inundating our
dinners with soups, stews and chilis too much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I forgot we may need to have something a tad more
non-liquidy every once in awhile – you know, just to give our spoons a rest and
our forks a chance to get in the game.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I found this recipe in the New York Times Cookbook (a <span style="color: purple;"><a href="http://thenewtonienne.blogspot.com/2013/11/creamy-curried-sweet-potato-soup.html">favorite</a>
<a href="http://thenewtonienne.blogspot.com/2013/11/creamy-curried-sweet-potato-soup.html">of</a>
<a href="http://thenewtonienne.blogspot.com/2013/02/red-cabbage-glazed-with-maple-syrup.html">mine</a></span>)
and, as expected, it did not disappoint.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was easy to make and seemed appropriate for cold nights without
making me go to bed with indigestion. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I tweaked it a bit but it came out just as I had hoped – the
freshest pasta dish you can get before April when the farmers markets start
being bountiful again.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Swiss Chard Casserole with Farfalle and Cheeses</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Adapted from the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Essential-York-Times-Cookbook/dp/0393061035"><span style="color: purple;">Essential
New York Times Cookbook</span></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 pound Swiss chard</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">extra virgin olive oil</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 medium onion, chopped</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3 cloves garlic, minced</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 shallot</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 cup chopped canned tomatoes, drained</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">½ pound farfalle</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2 oz. goat cheese</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">¼ cup grated Parmesan, plus more if needed</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Start with the most
time-consuming part of the recipe – rinse the Swiss chard, drain it, remove it
from the stems and chop it fine.
(I ended up just tearing it with my fingers because I found I worked
faster that way.) Heat a swirl of
oil in a deep-ish skillet over medium heat. (You want it deep because you have a lot of chard that takes
up a lot of room before it wilts.) Add the onion and sauté until tender. Chop your shallot. Stir in the garlic, chopped shallot and
tomatoes. Stir to
incorporate and to ensure there isn’t too much liquid from the tomatoes. Add
the chard and cook for about 8 minutes, until the chard has wilted. Heat the oven to 350 degrees
Fahrenheit. Bring a pot of water
to a boil and cook the farfalle until al dente, according to the package
suggestions. Drain the pasta when
done. Dump the chard into a
casserole dish (mine was a little smaller than a 9 x 13 dish) and stir in the
goat cheese and half the Parmesan.
Fold in the farfalle and mix with the chard mixture. Once incorporated, sprinkle the top of
the casserole with Parmesan cheese and bake about 15 – 20 minutes until
heated. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Serve with more Parmesan cheese if wanted.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></span><!--EndFragment-->MJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02875320493615392575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28017462.post-35335514026938824812014-01-07T18:45:00.003-05:002014-01-07T18:45:33.964-05:00Black-Eyed Pea Stew with Sausage and Collards<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EZ9MwJjQ9M4/UsyQyC9URmI/AAAAAAAAA4s/qAHYzkW7Qt0/s1600/IMG_3262a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EZ9MwJjQ9M4/UsyQyC9URmI/AAAAAAAAA4s/qAHYzkW7Qt0/s1600/IMG_3262a.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
</div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Happy New Year! </span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">I hope everyone's holiday season was a relaxing and happy one. I took two weeks off from work so got a lot of rest and relaxation in. The first week I spent in Newton with my family and got to dote on my </span><span style="color: purple;"><a href="http://instagram.com/p/iM0SNBFniI/" target="_blank">niece</a> </span><span style="color: #222222;">and </span><a href="http://instagram.com/p/iXJf9Klng9/" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">nephew</span></a><span style="color: #222222;"> regularly. The second week I spent in New York City where I purposefully took the time off so I could see what it felt like to have nothing to do in the city for an entire week. It was glorious.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">That being said, the time off made me realize how much I appreciate a routine. I was ready to get back to work (rain, cold and crowded subways be damned). It also didn't hurt that I had leftovers of this recipe to look forward to for lunch. As is the New Year's custom in my family, I made a meal that included black eyed peas, collards and pork to bring us health, wealth and good luck in 2012. This year I made a stew and it already exhibited its prosperity by bringing us a beaucoup of leftovers. I am not sure many people in the city know about this tradition (I'm working on spreading the word) but if you were wandering around the 5th floor of my apartment building last week, you would've smelled the deliciousness going on and convinced yourself to partake. </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TnOPRcmKSX8/UsyQ4DsQlyI/AAAAAAAAA40/oh3zMWzR-zs/s1600/IMG_3258a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TnOPRcmKSX8/UsyQ4DsQlyI/AAAAAAAAA40/oh3zMWzR-zs/s1600/IMG_3258a.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The original recipe did not call for any sort of leafy greens but I added them due to the theory that collards represent money. Figured it couldn't hurt u$. Plus, the word 'collards' immediately takes me back to the south. You can't NOT say it without a southern accent. I also used a mix of sausages (hot and mild) and instead of chopping a can of Italian tomatoes, I bought a can of already chopped Italian tomatoes (duh). I also only had 1 cup of dried black-eyed peas (ironically left over from last year). The original recipe calls for 2 cups but 1 cup was fine. These changes should be reflected in the recipe below. Here's to prosperity in 2014!</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">Black-Eyed Pea Stew with Sausage and Collards</span><br /><span style="color: #222222;">Adapted from </span><a href="http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/black-eyed-pea-stew-with-sausage?xid=DAILY010114BlackEyedPea" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">Food & Wine</span></a><br /><br /><span style="color: #222222;">1-2 cups dried black-eyed peas, picked over and rinsed </span></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3 tablespoons vegetable oil</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 1/4 pounds Italian sausages (about 8 links; I used 4 hot and 4 mild sausages)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 onion, diced</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 green bell pepper, seeded and diced</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3 garlic cloves, minced</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 jalapeño, seeded and minced</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">One 14-ounce can chopped Italian tomatoes, drained </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">4 cups low-sodium chicken broth</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3 cups water</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1/2 a bunch of collards, stems removed and sliced in ribbons</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1/4 cup chopped cilantro, plus leaves for garnish (optional)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Please your black-eyed peas in a bowl and add enough water to cover them so they can start soaking (this will make them cook faster). In a large soup pot, heat the oil until shimmering. Add your sausages and cook over moderate heat, turning occasionally, until they are cooked through (mine took about 20 minutes but the original recipe says 10 minutes). Transfer the sausages to a plate to collect all the delicious juices. Add your chopped onion, bell pepper, garlic and jalapeño to the pot and cook over moderate heat until just beginning to brown. Add the tomatoes and cook until some, but not all, liquid is evaporated. Add the black-eyed peas along with the broth and water. Bring to a boil. Cover partially and simmer until the black-eyed peas are just tender. The original recipe says this takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes but it only took mine 45 minutes to an 1 hour. With about 30 minutes left, add your collards and stir. They will cook in the final 30 minutes. <span style="text-align: center;">Cut your sausages into slices or dices and add them to the stew along with the juices from the plate. Simmer the stew for 10 more minutes. Spoon into bowls and top with cilantro leaves if you so desire.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<br /></div>
MJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02875320493615392575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28017462.post-79144403036701517942013-12-31T18:34:00.000-05:002013-12-31T19:34:27.943-05:00Shake Shack's 2013 Custard Challenge<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Happy New Year’s Eve!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I can’t believe that the sun is setting on another year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2013 flew by and I am looking forward
to 2014 with all of the resolutions to be broken and adventures to be had.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Speaking of resolutions, I have kept
one resolution in my life and, unsurprisingly, it involved food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many of you who follow my Instagram
account (<a href="http://instagram.com/thenewtonienne"><span style="color: purple;">@thenewtonienne</span></a>)
know that, besides pictures of Newt and other food adventures, I have been
inundating your feed with pictures of custard from Shake Shack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shake Shack is my favorite burger place
in New York and, although the restaurant has expanded to quite a few cities in the world, it made its humble beginnings in a ‘shack’ in the middle of Madison Square
Park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are lucky enough to live
just twelve blocks from the Upper West Side Shack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The custard is their version of ice cream and, each month,
they release a new <a href="http://www.shakeshack.com/2012/01/01/custard-calendar/" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">Custard Calendar</span></a>, one for each day of the week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My goal this year was to try all 84
custards – dubbed the Custard Challenge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So without further ado, here they all are, in one place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those italicized were my favorite each
month.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And to answer your
question, yes, I am now <a href="http://instagram.com/p/iRjW-giKtx/"><span style="color: purple;">super-famous</span></a>.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Have a happy and sweet New Year!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">January 2013</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/UC4tU-lnmd/"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Mom’s Coconut
Cake</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/UIB5mrlnte/"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Red Velvet</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/USYIV9Fngd/"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Chocolate
Hazelnut </span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/Ub_6YnFnvw/"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Cinnamon Cream
Cheese</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/UpV_Xvlnlj/"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Thin Mint</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/UzigHOlnv2/"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Mud Pie Custard</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://instagram.com/p/VDKD_4Fnix/"><span style="color: purple;">Pretzidential Caramel </span></a><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">February 2013</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/VNgik4lng7/"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Salted Caramel</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/ViHzm4lnvU/"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Pineapple
Upside Down Cake</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://instagram.com/p/VnPzBJFnvI/">Honey Roasted Peanut</a><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://instagram.com/p/VvB57EFntR/"><span style="color: purple;">Bee Mine</span></a> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/V2NTrclnlE/"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Coffee and
Donuts</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/V-VhKoFnuO/"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Chocolate Chip
Cookie</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/WNyPF6Fnuk/"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Banana Bourbon</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">March 2013</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/WXmqViFno0/"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Waffles &
Bacon</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/WiWOpWFnpt/"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">S’mores</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/WvOmYxFnkK/"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Boston Cream
Pie</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/W-G-nhlnmz/"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Mint Chocolate
Chip</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/XJALqFlniQ/"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Lime Coconut
Crumble</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/XV-TbWFnl5/"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Buttery Caramel
Cocoa Nip</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://instagram.com/p/XdVCkClnhv/"><span style="color: purple;">Salty Chocolate Peanut Butter</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">April 2013</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/XxdIfYFnmV/"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Salted Caramel</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://instagram.com/p/X5nZ7KFnpX/"><span style="color: purple;">Honey Roasted Peanut</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/YGDTv2lnvk/"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Boston Cream
Pie</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/YRD3uqFnhQ/"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Strawberry
Rhubarb Cobbler</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/YbW9Cilnl4/"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Arabic Coffee
Crunch</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/YglQ8Elnic/"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Red Velvet</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/Ylq0IQFnhM/"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Malted
Marshmallow Milk Chocolate</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">May 2013</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/Y_Vw5rFnq1/"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Lemon Meringue</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/ZJv5ibFnqe/"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Chocolate Chip
Cookie</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://instagram.com/p/ZO43DOlnrN/"><span style="color: purple;">Banana Bread</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/ZY6LMdlns_/"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Olive Oil Cake</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/ZeCGZjlnmI/"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Chocolate
Spiced Brownie</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/Zoej3clno9/"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Oatmeal Crème
Pie</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/Z33IDDFnve/"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Black & White Cookie</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">June 2013</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/aMkRxflnj5/"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Fromage Blanc
Raspberry Swirl</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://instagram.com/p/acO5nulnk0/"><span style="color: purple;">Buttery Caramel Cocoa Nib</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/ardmVMlnto/"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Cherry Chip</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/azMFFYFnuJ/"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Root Beer
Freeze</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/a30NrKFniD/"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Peach Pecan</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/bH0qeIlng2/"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Mud Pie</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/bMoN66FnqZ/"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Coffee &
Donuts</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">July 2013 </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://instagram.com/p/bWyw3qFniz/"><span style="color: purple;">Chocolate Chip Cookie</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/be5KidlnjP/"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Blueberry
Coffee Cake</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/bmzRl2FnqN/"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Strawberry
Blonde</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/bzq8dTlngG/"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Blackberry
Buttermilk</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/b_4lKolnk8/"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Marshmallow
Peanut Butter Swirl</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://instagram.com/p/cIKloRFnmC/"><span style="color: purple;">S’mores</span></a> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/cP7FSAFntv/"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Caramelized
Peach</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">August 2013</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/c4WJq4FnvV/"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Blueberry Sweet
Corn</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/dA5-Uzlnsj/"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Apricot Jam
Cookie</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/dH9mcQlnsw/"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Boston Cream
Pie</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://instagram.com/p/dQQHNRlntK/"><span style="color: purple;">Malted Marshmallow Milk Chocolate</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/dfs-_-Fnuc/"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Strawberry
Cheesecake</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/dnaX40lnmg/"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Caramel Popcorn</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/dpoynTlnr-/"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Fromage Blanc
Raspberry Swirl</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">September 2013</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/d3AOpAlnku/"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Red Velvet</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://instagram.com/p/d7t9S7lnlZ/"><span style="color: purple;">Peanut Butter & Jelly</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/eLfaPsFnt4/"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Thin Mint</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/eV14M4FnsZ/"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Salted Caramel</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/eiatB7Fngq/"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Coffee &
Donuts</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/eqYcLllnqk/"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Banana Bread</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/e3AIekFnpC/"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Oatmeal Crème
Pie</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">October 2013</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://instagram.com/p/fBu-2klnuG/"><span style="color: purple;">Shackenstein</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/fV-euplnnC/"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Candied Apple</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/fdPm6HFnui/"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Cinnamon Pear
Crumble</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/fqQP5rlnr_/"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Pretzel Caramel
</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/f1JJivlnpK/"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Salty Chocolate
Peanut Butter</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/f_LUTdFnma/"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Pumpkin Pie</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/gEjpDulnjY/"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Waffles &
Bacon</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">November 2013</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://instagram.com/p/gZR-Tglnuw/"><span style="color: purple;">Pumpkin Pie</span></a>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/gi64KPFnpf/"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Chocolate
Hazelnut</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/gtnFZUlnuF/"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Toffee Pear</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/gyfm6olngJ/"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Maple
Gingersnap Cheesecake</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://instagram.com/p/g6pjlHlnqU/">Cranberry Almon</a>d</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://instagram.com/p/hCYP-Mlng-/"><span style="color: purple;">Salted Caramel</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/hKHfKyFngx/"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Grandma’s Apple
Pie</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">December 2013</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/hhikYGlnqg/"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sweet Potato
Marshmallow</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/hogLtwlnt7/"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Gingerbread</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://instagram.com/p/huZi3qlnhz/"><span style="color: purple;">Frosted Holiday Cookie</span></a> <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/h1uE4-lnni/"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Chocolate Pecan
Pie</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/h9F5g1lnuq/"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Candy Cane
Crunch</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://instagram.com/p/iCxgP0Fnuj/">Egg Nog</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/iKSb7iFntE/"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Jelly Donut</span></a></div>
MJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02875320493615392575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28017462.post-45751375273836508482013-12-11T18:50:00.001-05:002013-12-11T19:05:57.323-05:00Marshmallow Chocolate Cookies<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BpGLgb4g5yo/Uqj5OzMPlJI/AAAAAAAAA3o/T5I86H7aQYM/s1600/IMG_0974a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BpGLgb4g5yo/Uqj5OzMPlJI/AAAAAAAAA3o/T5I86H7aQYM/s320/IMG_0974a.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">For the second year in a row, I participated in the </span><a href="http://www.fbcookieswap.com/" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">Great Food Blogger Cookie Swap</span></a><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> and for the second year in a row, it was well worth the anticipation, excitement and thrill to receive (and send) three dozen cookies. This year did not disappoint. I received some beautiful Sand Tarts from </span><a href="http://spinachtiger.com/" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">Spinach Tiger</span></a><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">, some delicious peanut butter cookies with chocolate chips (a solid combination if I may say so) from </span><a href="http://munchinginthemitten.blogspot.com/" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">Munching in the Mitten</span></a><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">, and a batch of Maple Oatmeal cookies from Kristie at </span><a href="http://www.kristie-creativetouch.blogspot.com/" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">Kristie's Creative Touch</span></a><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> -- these were practically breakfast for me for two days. And the best part was that the Cookie Swap raised over $13,000 for Cookies for Kids' Cancer. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">When looking for a recipe for this year's swap, I knew it had to include chocolate (because I would be sampling the cookie and cookies with chocolate are my favorite) but also easy enough to make in a small oven, with a batter hearty enough to last through several batches and a recipe that would require minimal math. I stumbled upon </span><a href="http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/marshmallow-chocolate-cookies-00100000070752/"><span style="color: purple;">this recipe</span></a><span style="color: #222222;"> from Real Simple and, although mine look nothing like theirs (where did my marshmallows go??), they were still quite tasty and chewy (probably thanks to the disappearing marshmallows). The melted marshmallows created an almost caramelized texture around the edges that, when removed (because they weren't the prettiest) were a delicious reward.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L2nXV4rrBaI/Uqj5NUd_2KI/AAAAAAAAA3g/rfEf9Ifl5fE/s1600/IMG_0999a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L2nXV4rrBaI/Uqj5NUd_2KI/AAAAAAAAA3g/rfEf9Ifl5fE/s320/IMG_0999a.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">I sent these cookies to </span><a href="http://kitchenrunway.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">Quyen</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">, </span><a href="http://thepielesstraveled.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">Karla</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> and </span><a href="http://recipesfoodandcooking.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">Mary Ellen</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> who, I hope, received them prior to leaving for their Thanksgiving travels (poor planning on my part) and was able to enjoy them amidst all the holiday madness of a shorter-than-normal-length-of-</span><wbr style="color: #222222;"></wbr><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">time between Thanksgiving and Christmas. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Marshmallow Chocolate Cookies</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222;">Adapted from </span><a href="http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/marshmallow-chocolate-cookies-00100000070752/" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">Real Simple</span></a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3/4 teaspoon salt</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1/2 teaspoon baking powder</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1/4 teaspoon baking soda</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">24 ounces semisweet chocolate chips</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 cup sugar</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3 large eggs</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 1/2 cups mini marshmallows</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Heat oven to 350° F. Line several (or as many as you have)
baking sheets with parchment. In a bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, baking
powder, and baking soda. Set aside. In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the
butter and half the chocolate. Microwave on high in 20-30 second increments until
melted, stirring between until smooth; let cool slightly. Whisk the sugar,
eggs, and vanilla into the chocolate mixture until smooth. Add the flour
mixture and mix until just combined. Fold in the marshmallows and the remaining
chocolate chips. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let cool for 15
minutes. Drop tablespoon-sized mounds 2 inches apart onto the
prepared baking sheets, keeping in mind they will spread. Bake 12 minutes,
rotating the baking sheets halfway through. Cookies should be firm around the edges. IMPORTANT - Let cool nearly completely on
the baking sheets before moving them or they will fall apart. They can cool completely on wire racks.</span></div>
MJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02875320493615392575noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28017462.post-30976864037823631352013-11-25T20:58:00.000-05:002013-11-25T20:58:09.351-05:00Creamy Curried Sweet Potato Soup<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QfQ-6tJzuO0/UpP_mxd_e1I/AAAAAAAAA2k/LQc3Q3G58lU/s1600/IMG_0963ab.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QfQ-6tJzuO0/UpP_mxd_e1I/AAAAAAAAA2k/LQc3Q3G58lU/s400/IMG_0963ab.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It’s Feast Week!
Actually, this kicks off ‘Feast (five) Weeks’ for me since I will be
eating nonstop from now until New Year’s Day at which point I will hit the
‘reset’ button for a week or two before transitioning back to my attempts at balancing
diet days vs. splurge days. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We are travelling to Virginia to be with Robbie’s family
over Thanksgiving so I will be able to relax and hopefully get in my southern
food fixes like Firehouse Subs and Chic-Fil-A.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have to get there first though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are flying in a prop plane out of Newark early Thursday
morning . . . I hope no one is offended when I bring a turkey leg on the plane.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here’s a Thanksgiving fun fact about me – the sweet potatoes
are my least favorite item on the Thanksgiving table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I usually get just a small spoon full because I’ll feel like
it’s not Thanksgiving without all seven food groups (turkey, gravy, stuffing,
sweet potatoes, green beans, rolls, butter) but when I go back for seconds (and
thirds) I usually leave the sweet potatoes off my plate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hGhX4i8sK1Y/UpP-9gWjiRI/AAAAAAAAA2Y/5RH5Ur213UM/s1600/IMG_0956a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hGhX4i8sK1Y/UpP-9gWjiRI/AAAAAAAAA2Y/5RH5Ur213UM/s400/IMG_0956a.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Earlier this month I stumbled upon a way that I will gladly
devour them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I made this soup
because I thought Robbie would love it and I would get to play martyr by making
something I dislike and then remind him of that fact while we ate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, I ended up loving it just as
much as he did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My annoyance
turned to pride when I realized how adventurous I was being and my martyrdom
speech turned into an ‘Aren’t-you-glad-I-made-something-risky-but-with-big-reward?’
conversation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Poor Robbie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was incredibly easy to make but
still required enough chopping and slicing so it makes you feel like you
provided a solid home-cooked meal. (And could complain about all the chopping
and slicing required to your loved ones.)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It’s also an <a href="http://instagram.com/p/geYWqgFnia/" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">excellent medium</span></a> for ricotta cheese.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Creamy Curried Sweet Potato Soup</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Adapted from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Essential-York-Times-Cookbook/dp/0393061035" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">The Essential New York Times Cookbook</span></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 ½ tablespoons olive oil</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 cup coarsely chopped onion</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 clove garlic, minced</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 tablespoon coarsely grated fresh ginger</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 teaspoon ground cumin</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">½ teaspoon ground coriander</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">¼ teaspoon ground cardamom</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2 ½ pounds sweet potates, peeled and sliced about a
quarter-inch thick</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">6 cups chicken broth (I made mine with bouillon cubes)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Ricotta cheese (the original recipe called for goat cheese
which would be equally as delicious)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Heat the oil in a large stock pot. Add the onion and sauté over medium heat until it begins to
brown. Add the garlic and stir for
about 30 seconds. Add the spices
(ginger through red pepper flakes) and stir well. Add the sweet potatoes and broth and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer until the sweet
potatoes are soft. Puree the soup
as you see fit (I used an immersion blender). Top with a dollop of Ricotta cheese. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
MJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02875320493615392575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28017462.post-817259096216792742013-11-12T19:37:00.000-05:002013-11-12T19:46:12.519-05:00Pumpkin Bread, Revisited<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v0JVGLxU9nM/UoLI9f94htI/AAAAAAAAA1o/9ss_XCHy78E/s1600/Pumpkin+Bread+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v0JVGLxU9nM/UoLI9f94htI/AAAAAAAAA1o/9ss_XCHy78E/s400/Pumpkin+Bread+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We had our first snowfall this morning and I haven't even posted a pumpkin recipe this year! I feel so behind. I bought a giant can of pumpkin puree and worked my way through it but my delay in sharing the recipes has been due to traveling to North Carolina for my niece's </span><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://instagram.com/p/gMK4pqlnpU/" target="_blank">1st birthday</a> </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(and </span><a href="http://instagram.com/p/gJwZieSyu3/" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">Halloween</span></a><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">!) and a stream of work meetings that required quite a bit of my focus. Nonetheless, visions of this pumpkin bread danced in my head throughout the busy time.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LEbfyZ6d2AA/UoLI-GMod8I/AAAAAAAAA1w/cByiVrtRecc/s1600/Pumpkin+Bread+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LEbfyZ6d2AA/UoLI-GMod8I/AAAAAAAAA1w/cByiVrtRecc/s400/Pumpkin+Bread+3.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">The original recipe states this is 'Vegan' but as I am not one for labels, I prefer to leave this as just pumpkin bread. It isn't my first foray into </span><a href="http://thenewtonienne.blogspot.com/2011/10/pumpkin-bread.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">pumpkin bread</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> but this version is worthy of inclusion because it is a little different -- a little heartier (ie, this one has oil instead of apple sauce) and instead of using the very-convenient pumpkin pie spice, it actually calls for an assortment of fall-inspired spices. The recipe also comes from the cookbook of one of my favorite bloggers, </span><a href="http://joythebaker.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">Joy the Baker</span><span style="color: #1155cc;"> </span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">(see more of the recipes I've tried of hers </span><a href="http://thenewtonienne.blogspot.com/2012/07/browned-butter-peanut-butter-crispy.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">here</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> and </span><a href="http://thenewtonienne.blogspot.com/2010/05/honey-roasted-peanut-thumbprint-cookies.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">here</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">). </span></span><br />
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Today also marks the 24-hours of college basketball marathon that is the best marketing ploy ever developed since the cows and Chick-fil-A. Robbie is actually at the Champions Classic in Chicago and will (hopefully) be pulling the mighty Blue Devils through against Kansas. While Robbie braves the crowd and cold of Chicago, I'll stay curled up in the apartment with some coffee and pumpkin bread. </span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Pumpkin Bread</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">Adapted from the </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Joy-Baker-Cookbook-Comforting-Recipes/dp/1401310605" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">Joy the Baker Cookbook</span></a></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The original recipe made two loaves but I halved everything for one loaf. Those measurements are below.</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 7/8 cups all-purpose flour (so just a little less than 2 cups)</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 cup packed light brown sugar</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 teaspoon baking soda</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1/2 teaspoon baking powder</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1/2 teaspoon salt</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1/2 teaspoon ground allspice</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1/4 teaspoon ground cloves</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">7.5 ounces pumpkin puree</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1/2 cup vegetable oil</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1/6 cup maple syrup</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1/6 cup water</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease one loaf pan. Whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt and all four spices. In a separate bowl, whisk together the pumpkin, oil, maple syrup and water. Don't whisk too hard when first incorporating or you will be drenched in water and oil. Dump the pumpkin mixture into the flour mixture and fold the ingredients together. Pour the mixture into the pan and bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour until a skewer inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean. (NOTE: The original recipe said to bake for 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes but my loaf was done in 45. Probably because I was only baking one loaf and I have the worlds smallest oven so it bakes quickly.) Let rest in the pan for 20 minutes before removing the loaf onto a cooling rack. </span></div>
MJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02875320493615392575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28017462.post-91706025373931727322013-10-22T18:12:00.001-05:002013-10-22T18:25:40.144-05:00Chocolate Chip Cookies<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jpXXiguQDyo/UmcF28kp-rI/AAAAAAAAA0Y/wtpeIP5T51s/s1600/IMG_0625a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jpXXiguQDyo/UmcF28kp-rI/AAAAAAAAA0Y/wtpeIP5T51s/s400/IMG_0625a.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I awoke, early on Sunday morning, to the click-click-clicking of our heat turning on and the sssshhhhhhhhh of the steam going through the pipes. I immediately snuggled a little more under the covers and let out a contented sigh only to realize that I had dislodged Newt from his spot on the bed. He would subsequently meow in our faces for the next 45 minutes until he finally went back to sleep. He's lucky he's </span><a href="http://instagram.com/p/fdlF2mFnl-/" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: purple;">so handsome</span></a><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Thus starts the season of coziness. I immediately want to cook and bake anything that requires me to turn on my oven and wear my adorable oven mitts. These mitts usually hang dormant in the warmer months because my little oven that can just barely hold a 9 x 13 inch casserole dish is actually a larger-than-normal space heater. And you don't want to run that on days that are even slightly humid and over 72-degrees unless you plan on running your air conditioner as well (hello, energy costs). </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br class="" /><span style="color: #222222;">Cooking, and general day-to-day living, in NYC is all about balancing wants and needs, it seems. You get the apartment on the fifth floor of a walk up because you want the more-desired location. You take the longer, local train to work but at least you can sit down and finish that book you've been lugging around for three weeks. You have that third cookie because you just went down to the basement to change a load of clothes only to realize you left the detergent which means you have to go back up the stairs an extra, unanticipated time and therefore deserve it. Just like Newt, </span><span style="color: purple;"><a href="http://instagram.com/p/e8WMYRFniG/">this city</a> </span><span style="color: #222222;">is lucky it's so handsome. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5hmvWYNj7h4/UmcF3LrAHTI/AAAAAAAAA0c/onjnvV57dbg/s1600/IMG_0634a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5hmvWYNj7h4/UmcF3LrAHTI/AAAAAAAAA0c/onjnvV57dbg/s400/IMG_0634a.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222;">Another New York-city centered blogger that I enjoy following is Sydney from</span><span style="color: purple;"> </span></span><a href="http://crepesofwrath.net/" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">Crepes of Wrath</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">. Not only does Sydney seem to appreciate good food and restaurants as we do (and recaps her adventures with each post), but I adore her literature inspired blog name (being the English major that I am). Now <i>that</i> is how you name a blog. (Not 'Bless your Tart' - which was my initial idea and now seems to be a good example of what not to do.) </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> Sydney, according to </span><a href="http://crepesofwrath.net/2013/03/04/curried-quinoa-salad/" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">Anderson Cooper</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">, has the best </span><a href="http://crepesofwrath.net/2013/01/21/chocolate-chunk-cookies-2/"><span style="color: purple;">chocolate chip cookie recipe</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> around. Naturally, I had to make them. </span></span><br />
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And the silver fox was right -- these are delicious and perfect with your first cup of coffee in the morning or your warm cup of tea at night or your Big Gulp of Diet Coke in the middle of the day. I've had them in all instances and can't say I have a favorite setting -- just make these as soon as it is cool enough to turn on your oven. Or, don't wait and find the balance of oven heat and counter-effective air conditioning. The checks and balance system applies just as easily to ConEdison bills as it does to other life moments. </span><br />
<div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Chocolate Chip Cookies</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">Adapted (barely) from </span><a href="http://crepesofwrath.net/"><span style="color: purple;">Crepes of Wrath</span></a></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />1 cup brown sugar</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1/2 cup granulated sugar</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3/4 cup butter, melted</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 egg</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 egg yolk</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 tablespoon vanilla extract</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2 cups all-purpose flour</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3/4 teaspoon baking soda</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1/2 teaspoon salt</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2 cups chocolate, roughly chopped (I used a mix of semi-sweet chips (unchopped) and a dark chocolate bar chopped up. The use of chopped bar chocolate creates all the chocolate flecks you see in the finished product as well as the larger-than-chips bites you get throughout.)</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Optional - sea salt, for sprinkling</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahreinheit. In a mixing bowl, beat your butter and both sugars. Add in the whole egg and mix until combined. Add the egg yolk and mix until combined. Add the vanilla extract and mix until combined. In a separate bowl, mix your flour, baking soda and salt. In equal parts, add it to the sugar mixture until just combined. Be sure to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed. Fold in your chocolate. Line baking sheets with parchment. Scoop out about 2 tablespoons worth of dough into balls and place on your sheet. Sprinkle with sea salt if using. Bake for about 12-15 minutes until just lightly golden and set. Cool on the sheets for a few minutes before removing. </span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">According to Sydney, these keep well in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or frozen for up to 3 months. Be sure to thaw them before you eat them!</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
</div>
</div>
</div>
MJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02875320493615392575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28017462.post-1035022267797530682013-10-14T09:23:00.003-05:002013-10-14T09:32:33.768-05:00Texas Road Trip - Part Two<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">On Friday morning, we left Austin (see </span><a href="http://thenewtonienne.blogspot.com/2013/10/texas-road-trip-part-one.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">Part 1</span></a><span style="color: #222222;"> for a recap of that leg of the trip) and headed about an hour Southeast to La Grange, TX. La Grange was absolutely precious. Less than 5,000 people live there but they have a beautiful, wide town square and nestled in the Southwest corner of that square is </span><a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/prause-market-la-grange" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">Prause Meat Market</span></a><span style="color: #222222;">. </span></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ypTxTEDy-FA/Ulv6aU05bxI/AAAAAAAAAzk/efC7yGMmXbk/s1600/IMG_0820.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ypTxTEDy-FA/Ulv6aU05bxI/AAAAAAAAAzk/efC7yGMmXbk/s400/IMG_0820.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #444444;">La Grange Town Square - Are there more pick up trucks or Texas flags in this picture?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">We walked in, clearly "not from around here," and gingerly walked up to the counter of fresh meat. One lovely gentleman behind the counter welcomed us and walked us back to where they had their smoked meat (he clearly knew what we were there for). I appreciate that they keep the tradition of being a meat market front and center while the lunch place is a secondary (albeit very popular) destination. He loaded us up with sausages, pork shoulders, and brisket. When we saw it was cash only we got worried (we only had about $30 on us) but the final price, including soft drinks, was $13. We further showed our naivete by laughing hysterically with relief at such a great deal then sheepishly went and sat beneath some </span><a href="http://instagram.com/p/exc3MoSyv8/" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">mounted deer heads to eat</span></a><span style="color: #222222;">. </span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dDXMs-DdqJI/Ulv6EsWLqJI/AAAAAAAAAzc/z-jMIxHCJT4/s1600/IMG_0818.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dDXMs-DdqJI/Ulv6EsWLqJI/AAAAAAAAAzc/z-jMIxHCJT4/s400/IMG_0818.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">They don't lie in La Grange.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Their pork shoulder had almost a sweet skin on it and their brisket tasted like pot roast (which must mean they keep it in some liquid during the smoking process or prior to serving - to be determined on the next visit I guess). It was delicious and, like I said, an incredible bargain. </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We departed La Grange to head back to Houston for the last two days of our trip. </span><br />
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">We stayed with our dear friends Amanda and Steve and their puppies </span><span style="color: purple;"><a href="http://instagram.com/p/ez0gHWyyt-/" target="_blank">Daphne</a> </span><span style="color: #222222;">and </span><a href="http://instagram.com/p/e0ls7Clntu/" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">Otis</span></a><span style="color: #222222;">. I have known Amanda since elementary school and they were gracious enough to let us take over their guest bedroom. Our first night there we saw the Yankees beat the Astros (</span><span style="color: purple;"><a href="http://instagram.com/p/eyi9OMlnkt/" target="_blank">and a fireworks show</a>!</span><span style="color: #222222;">) and Saturday we had a lazy day of football watching. We grilled out Saturday night and enjoyed some delicious cajun pork ribs and stuffed pork loin from </span><a href="http://hebertsspecialtymeats.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">Hebert's</span> </a><span style="color: #222222;">before heading out to a real-live country music concert. </span></span></div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zXvgr5clLMU/Ulv6r5gF2VI/AAAAAAAAAz0/eKUlkct3TM4/s1600/IMG_0832.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zXvgr5clLMU/Ulv6r5gF2VI/AAAAAAAAAz0/eKUlkct3TM4/s400/IMG_0832.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Amanda & Steve! (This better be your Christmas card photo.)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
</div>
</div>
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/e1DoI2FnmW/" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">Miranda Lambert</span></a><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> and </span><a href="http://instagram.com/p/e01dlaFnsA/" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">Dierks Bentley</span></a><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> entertained us for the next few hours before we made it back home to some Apple Spice Cake (recipe to come!) and </span><a href="http://www.bluebell.com/" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">Blue Bell ice cream</span></a><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">. Side note - I am now obsessed with the oversize gallons of Blue Bell ice cream. Someone needs to get these in NYC immediately. </span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yZM4z2uu-ik/Ulv6y67kPxI/AAAAAAAAAz8/OilhIJ8K3-8/s1600/IMG_0879.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yZM4z2uu-ik/Ulv6y67kPxI/AAAAAAAAAz8/OilhIJ8K3-8/s400/IMG_0879.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Daphne - wise beyond her years.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dEUTvxdlOLE/Ulv6m8TPMOI/AAAAAAAAAzs/OXOlU0MCWz0/s1600/IMG_0872.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dEUTvxdlOLE/Ulv6m8TPMOI/AAAAAAAAAzs/OXOlU0MCWz0/s400/IMG_0872.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Otis - Less wise, but I still want his hair color.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I left Texas, proudly wearing a few extra pounds and my new cowboy boots and giddy with the success of our Texas road trip. In case you were interested, we looked at the following lists before planning where to go: </span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.mensjournal.com/expert-advice/daniel-vaughns-top-10-bbq-joints-in-texas-20130621/franklin-barbecue-austin" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">Daniel Vaughn’s 10 Favorite BBQ Joints in Texas</span></a><span style="color: #222222;"> (Daniel Vaughn is the Barbecue Editor for Texas Monthly – yes, they have a Barbecue Editor)</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<a href="http://www.texasmonthly.com/eat-my-words/list-top-50-barbecue-joints" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">TexasMonthly’s Top 50 Barbecue Joints</span></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.thrillist.com/eat/nation/these-are-the-33-best-bbq-joints-in-america" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">Thrillists’ 33 best BBQ joints in America</span></a><span style="color: #222222;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I can't wait to do it again -- there are still so many other places we want to visit in the state -- </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">John Mueller's in Austin, Kreuz in Lockhart, Salt Lick in Driftwood . . . now we have new ones to check off plus those we want to revisit (Louie Mueller's!) so I'm sure we'll be back. The state of Texas should market itself as a culinary destination and, obviously, I would happily be an ambassador for that. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Texas, call me and we'll talk.</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
MJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02875320493615392575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28017462.post-41520315874022029882013-10-10T18:03:00.002-05:002013-10-18T12:51:05.796-05:00Texas Road Trip - Part One<div>
<div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">Warning - The next two posts will be gluttonous posts about meat. Be wary, vegetarian friends. </span><br /><br /><span style="color: #222222;">Two weeks ago, Robbie and I were in the midst of our four-day vacation. This was the longest vacation we had taken since our honeymoon that wasn't dictated by weddings and family so it was discussed, chosen and planned with much care and attention to detail. In typical fashion, we brushed aside the usual options of an island paradise or a long-weekend in a European capital and zeroed in on one priority - food.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: #222222;">You already know I have a food blog but you may not know that Robbie and I eat out a lot. We love keeping up (as much as we can) with interesting and new restaurants in New York City. Since I am from North Carolina, and Robbie is a warm-blooded male, we often end up at the latest bbq restaurants in the city. I have learned to never expect to find a typical North Carolina-style chopped and pulled pork sandwich up here but I have been exposed to some delicious </span><span style="color: purple;"><a href="http://www.johnbrownseriousbbq.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">Kansas City bbq rubs</span></a> </span><span style="color: #222222;">and even a few</span><span style="color: purple;"> <a href="http://mightyquinnsbbq.com/about.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">hybrid styles</span></a></span><span style="color: #222222;"> of 'que. </span><br /><br /><span style="color: #222222;">That being said, the piece of meat that had me at first bite was Texas brisket. </span><br /><br /><span style="color: #222222;">Last week, we decided to explore Texas and the barbecue places that inspired NYC restaurants like </span><a href="http://www.hillcountryny.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">Hill Country</span></a><span style="color: #222222;">, </span><a href="http://delaneybbq.com/briskettown/" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">Briskettown</span></a><span style="color: #222222;">, and </span><a href="http://www.fletchersbklyn.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">Fletcher's</span></a><span style="color: #222222;">. You see, I am convinced that without these joints in Taylor, Austin, La Grange, etc., New York City wouldn't know a piece of brisket from a pumpernickel bagel. </span></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">After an early flight into Houston, we drove about two hours to Taylor, TX. Taylor is about 30 minutes north of Austin, TX and on a wide side street sits </span><a href="http://www.louiemuellerbarbecue.com/index.htm" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">Louie Mueller Barbecue</span></a><span style="color: #222222;">. This place was not for the faint of heart. The temperature was 94 degrees outside at the end of September (this would be a common theme the entire weekend - heat and humidity were rampant everywhere we went) and the restaurant was basically two, high ceiling rooms with the smoker in the back of one of the rooms and no air conditioner. </span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="color: #222222; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9Ub5KCWxo74/Ulcq3KduP0I/AAAAAAAAAyc/f3Wx58NE-YE/s1600/IMG_0746.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9Ub5KCWxo74/Ulcq3KduP0I/AAAAAAAAAyc/f3Wx58NE-YE/s400/IMG_0746.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Their fan placement is exactly how we cool our apartment in the summer.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="color: #222222;">
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">I walked in and immediately knew I was going to smell like a smoker for the next week. We ordered, got our food and sat down to a table filled with sausage links, brisket and the biggest beef rib I had ever seen. This </span><a href="http://instagram.com/p/esbBnhSync/" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">beef rib</span></a><span style="color: #222222;">. Oh, </span><a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=louie+mueller+beef+rib&espv=210&es_sm=91&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=mjFXUqGROPDk4AORk4HIBA&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ&biw=1238&bih=583" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">this beef rib</span></a><span style="color: #222222;">. It was by far the best thing I ate the entire trip. They season the rib with only salt and pepper before letting the smoke and oak wood do their thing. It tastes like butter. In a good way.</span></span></div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="color: #222222; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4xmgiuAz-K0/UlcqyaDegOI/AAAAAAAAAyU/lswalH-xi_k/s1600/IMG_0744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4xmgiuAz-K0/UlcqyaDegOI/AAAAAAAAAyU/lswalH-xi_k/s400/IMG_0744.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Beef Rib and other lesser meats. (Good effort pickles.)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: center;">We climbed back into our Nissan Versa (bless our hearts) and headed to Austin where we explored our neighborhood (SoCo!) and met some friends for dinner. We headed to bed early since we had to line up for our next BBQ visit bright and early the next morning - </span><a href="http://franklinbarbecue.com/" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">Franklin BBQ</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: center;"><span style="color: purple;">.</span><span style="color: #222222;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: center;">Franklin is repeatedly voted the #1 bbq place in Texas and it did not disappoint. First order of business is to get there hours before their 11 am opening or else you risk not getting any food that day. We got there about 9:15 in the morning and were told by the lovely staff (who brought out water, beer and soft drinks for those in line) that</span><a href="http://instagram.com/p/eujdYdSylG/" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: center;" target="_blank"> <span style="color: purple;">our spot in line</span></a><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: center;"> </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: center;">meant we would eat about 12 pm. We ended up sitting down with </span><a href="http://instagram.com/p/eu1UdhFnvF/" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">food</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222;"> around 12:30 pm. The hour or so until opening went by pretty fast but then, once folks started moving, the anticipation (and hanger) had gotten to me. One of the owners chatted with us about New York and our favorite restaurants while he chopped us some brisket and ribs - it turns out he was a </span><a href="http://momofuku.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">Momofuku</span></a><span style="color: #222222;"> empire fan too which was good to hear. </span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="color: #222222; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FZGPu_i68bU/UlcsRZVPhUI/AAAAAAAAAyw/SK6MWQAFrIw/s1600/IMG_0773.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FZGPu_i68bU/UlcsRZVPhUI/AAAAAAAAAyw/SK6MWQAFrIw/s400/IMG_0773.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">The line at Franklin BBQ right at opening time.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="color: #222222; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iIgYUu1wLDQ/UlcsMRQgFKI/AAAAAAAAAyo/FCz3KZzhsak/s1600/IMG_0774.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iIgYUu1wLDQ/UlcsMRQgFKI/AAAAAAAAAyo/FCz3KZzhsak/s400/IMG_0774.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Franklin!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Franklin is known for their brisket and it was equal to, if not a little better than, Briskettown here in New York. I was surprised at how many locals were in line (do people in Austin not work?) so it must be legit if folks keep waiting in line. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><span style="color: #222222;">After filling up on bbq, we visited the University of Texas, Austin (hook 'em!), the State Capitol (which is so big because they thought Texas would be its own country) and the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential library (where I decided I would start going by Mary Jordan Lady Bird Samuel). After a visit to a couple of Austin's famous </span><span style="color: purple;"><a href="http://instagram.com/p/e0INSpyylr/" target="_blank">food trucks</a> </span><span style="color: #222222;">(</span><a href="http://www.gourdoughs.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">one</span></a><span style="color: #222222;"> of which was made for me), we headed back to sleep off the calories (ha) before the next leg of our trip.</span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8qRf0Lt3nrA/Ulct_mTlTPI/AAAAAAAAAy8/MtvlOBF4Wdw/s1600/IMG_0791.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8qRf0Lt3nrA/Ulct_mTlTPI/AAAAAAAAAy8/MtvlOBF4Wdw/s400/IMG_0791.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">I think I see a Longhorn up there.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PndVS9sv5Fs/UlcuGXz3QlI/AAAAAAAAAzE/DknkyxfB7_E/s400/IMG_0794.JPG" height="266" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">They did a good job with their State Capitol Building.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-87qgBJhqd6c/UlcuQr3bcKI/AAAAAAAAAzM/D8Fm7cnt6TU/s400/IMG_0810.JPG" height="266" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">LBJ Archives. He clearly was a reader.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">Overall, I loved Austin and its eclectic vibe. I was surprised at how there weren't many people out and about for it to be the state capital (maybe because it was too hot?) and be home to a major university. Our neighborhood was a delight -- nearby, there were </span><span style="color: purple;"><a href="http://www.uncommonobjects.com/" target="_blank">cute</a> <a href="http://www.offthewallaustin.com/" target="_blank">antique</a> </span><span style="color: #222222;">shops and an old-timey </span><a href="http://bigtopcandyshop.tumblr.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">candy store</span></a><span style="color: #222222;"> (which I unfortunately discovered on our last day) but I did find the 7-Eleven within the first hour. Big Gulps are the essential travel companion. </span></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://thenewtonienne.blogspot.com/2013/10/texas-road-trip-part-2.html" target="_blank">Next up</a> will be a recap of our Houston leg of the trip which completed our country-fication via a Miranda Lambert/Dierks Bentley concert and the purchase of real-live cowboy boots. </span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
MJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02875320493615392575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28017462.post-86840976787757754952013-09-14T08:14:00.004-05:002014-03-24T21:26:12.932-05:00Zucchini and Lentils with Prosciutto<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G4DdAYw0Wus/UjRgYjEAnaI/AAAAAAAAAxg/dwflt8ADnt4/s1600/Zucchini+with+Lentils+and+Prosciutto+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G4DdAYw0Wus/UjRgYjEAnaI/AAAAAAAAAxg/dwflt8ADnt4/s400/Zucchini+with+Lentils+and+Prosciutto+1.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">I knew I could count on September to bring me crisp mornings, cool breezes and sparkling views of the East River from my office windows. And apparently a 96-degree day thrown in just as a reminder of how this month, just like its previous brethren, can produce a scorcher or two. Well played, September. </span><br style="color: #222222;" /><br style="color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">But before we kiss summer goodbye, I have one more warm weather-ish recipe for you. I like it as a transitional piece -- like a good montage in a movie. Or like your basic navy blazer. The lentils make me think of hearty fare while zucchini screams overflowing-garden-bounty and the prosciutto says . . . well the prosciutto confirms that pretty much anything is better with prosciutto. </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eTARSJC1gMQ/UjRgXe5DAWI/AAAAAAAAAxY/rL9uA6wEWsQ/s1600/Zucchini+and+Lentils+with+Prosciutto+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eTARSJC1gMQ/UjRgXe5DAWI/AAAAAAAAAxY/rL9uA6wEWsQ/s400/Zucchini+and+Lentils+with+Prosciutto+2.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">So if football was on your tv for 75% of the last six days even though the weather outside was over 80 degrees, if you are pairing boots with shorts, or if you have had your first fall beverage of choice from Starbucks but broke a sweat just holding it; stand proud and enjoy this dish. Because it glows in summer freshness but has a hint of the promise that is to come - which is </span><a href="http://thenewtonienne.blogspot.com/2012/11/pumpkin-donut-holes.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">pumpkin</span></a><span style="color: #222222;">. </span><a href="http://thenewtonienne.blogspot.com/2012/10/butterscotch-pumpkin-muffins.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">Lots and lots</span></a><span style="color: #222222;"> of </span><a href="http://thenewtonienne.blogspot.com/2011/10/pumpkin-bread.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">pumpkin</span></a><span style="color: #222222;">.</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Zucchini and Lentils with Prosciutto</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">Adapted from </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Tender-Cook-His-Vegetable-Patch/dp/1607740370" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">Tender</span></a></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">For the Salad</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3 Medium Zucchini</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3/4 cup, small, dark green lentils</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2 tablespoons olive oil</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">a handful of chopped parsley</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">4 ounces of prosciutto </span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">For the dressing</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 tablespoon red wine vinegar</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 tablespoon sherry vinegar </span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">4 tablespoons olive oil</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 clove of minced or chopped garlic</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Slice the zucchini into disks as thinly as you can make them while still keeping them fairly sturdy. Mine were probably a couple centimeters in thickness. Put them in a colander with a sprinkling of salt and set aside to drain for at least twenty minutes. Rinse your lentils and pick over any that seem a bit out-of=sorts. Cook your lentils by boiling them in water until tender but keep a bit of a bite. Drain them and set aside. Make the dressing by mixing the vinegars, oil and garlic together with a dash of salt and pepper. Once the lentils are drained, toss them with the dressing and cover. Rinse the zucchini and saute them in a pan with the olive oil until they start to brown here and there (I tend to not cook mine very long for whatever reason). Sprinkle everything with parsley as you see fit.</span></div>
MJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02875320493615392575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28017462.post-70800428597814194882013-09-02T08:58:00.004-05:002013-09-02T18:23:02.638-05:00Blueberry Buckle<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #222222; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SbRn0zFIW3k/UiSY55lCuzI/AAAAAAAAAw0/Czt_lXuCYDY/s1600/Blueberry+Buckle+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SbRn0zFIW3k/UiSY55lCuzI/AAAAAAAAAw0/Czt_lXuCYDY/s400/Blueberry+Buckle+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Happy long weekend! I told myself I had to post a new recipe soon so I could get my soul-baring thoughts on turning </span><a href="http://thenewtonienne.blogspot.com/2013/08/chocolate-strawberry-nutella-cake.html" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">30</span></a><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> moved down on the homepage. Being honest to a faceless computer screen can seem scary. </span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I love Labor Day weekend because it is the 'official unofficial' end to summer. Which means fall is just around the corner! New York is giving its inhabitants one more balmy, warm weekend before, hopefully, showering us with crisp mornings and bright sunshine. </span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As you may recall, I had developed a </span><a href="http://thenewtonienne.blogspot.com/2013/05/blackberry-lemon-goat-cheese-squares.html" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">Summer Bucket List</span></a><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> for the summer. My focus on that, plus the fact it was a fairly mild summer compared to the summer of 2012, means I had a wonderful few months. We did not check everything off but we did fairly well and went places that I would usually put off going (ie, never go). We went to the </span><a href="http://instagram.com/p/cCspuklnob/" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">Cloisters</span></a><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> and </span><span style="color: purple;"><a href="http://instagram.com/p/dqMtJTlnoS/" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;" target="_blank">Coney</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><a href="http://instagram.com/p/dqEje0Fnra/" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;" target="_blank">Island</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(squeezed this one in this weekend!). We saw a </span><a href="http://instagram.com/p/aE-4bCFnl8/" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">baseball game</span></a><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> (</span><a href="http://instagram.com/p/bU09qKFnlw/" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">two in fact!</span></a><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">) and took Newt </span><span style="color: purple;"><a href="http://instagram.com/p/dVLyTDFnpI/" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;" target="_blank">on a walk</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">a couple of times a month (granted most of them were to-and-from the vet). And yes, taking Newt on a walk was on my bucket list because I feel bad keeping him in our box of an apartment all the time.</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-27qaW467LHU/UiSZAmRzzII/AAAAAAAAAw8/2ERvjwLSBpQ/s1600/Blueberry+Buckle+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-27qaW467LHU/UiSZAmRzzII/AAAAAAAAAw8/2ERvjwLSBpQ/s400/Blueberry+Buckle+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The exciting news is that I have now created a Fall 2013 Bucket List (Robbie was excited about the summer one . . . not so much about the fall one). When will this madness stop, you wonder? I wish I knew.</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I'll check back in around Thanksgiving with the outcome of the Fall 2013 Bucket List but, in the meantime, I wanted to share this Blueberry Buckle recipe with you. If you have Labor Day off, there's nothing more comforting than sleeping in and waking up to enjoy a piece of cake you can eat for breakfast. Put it in a red casserole dish and you have yourself a red, white and blue dessert. (Is Labor Day patriotic? I need to Wikipedia that.)</span></div>
</div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Blueberry Buckle</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">Adapted from the "Fresh Blueberry Buckle" recipe from the </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Essential-York-Times-Cookbook/dp/0393061035/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1378129792&sr=8-1&keywords=the+essential+new+york+times+cookbook" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">Essential New York Times Cookbook</span></a></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">According to the cookbook (and some googling), a buckle has streusel on top. Ironically, the streusel in this recipe doesn't show up as well once baked so I think I'll make a heartier streusel next time.</span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 stick, softened, unsalted butter</span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 cup sugar</span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 large egg</span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract</span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour</span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 teaspoon baking powder</span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1/4 teaspoon salt</span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1/3 cup milk</span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2 cups blueberries</span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1/2 teaspoon ground ginger (the original recipe called for 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom but I did not have any so I substituted the ginger and it was delicious)</span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg</span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Heat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Butter a 9-inch square baking dish (or a 7 x 11 rectangular dish which is what I used). In a mixer with the paddle attachment, beat half the butter with half of the sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla. Sift together 1 cup of the flour, the baking powder and salt. Add alternately with the milk to the creamed mixture. Start and end with the dry ingredients. Pour into the baking dish and pour the blueberries over the dish. In a separate bowl, combine the remaining sugar, 1/3 cup flour, ginger and nutmeg. Cut in the remaining butter until the texture is that of a streusel topping (mine is always a little chunkier but it should be the same consistency of coarse cornmeal with some bigger pieces throughout). Sprinkle over the blueberries and bake for 30-40 minutes or until the cake is baked through. The original recipe said to bake 40-50 minutes but in my small oven, it was ready after just 30 minutes. </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Serve with whipped cream or ice cream. (Or with a side of coffee.)</span>MJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02875320493615392575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28017462.post-73441370699617000882013-08-25T10:24:00.000-05:002013-08-25T10:31:21.623-05:00Chocolate Strawberry Nutella Cake<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nV9ot8j030A/Uhoehh6THBI/AAAAAAAAAwU/uW9Wn2O2iaI/s1600/Strawberry+Nutella+Cake+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nV9ot8j030A/Uhoehh6THBI/AAAAAAAAAwU/uW9Wn2O2iaI/s400/Strawberry+Nutella+Cake+1.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I turned 30 on Thursday. When people found out it was my
birthday and asked “Is it a big one?” I did the polite thing and said “Yes!
30!” even though, in my opinion, every birthday of mine is a big one. After all, it is a celebration of
the moment when I graced the earth but I did not want to sound more
self-conceited than I <span style="text-align: center;">already looked with my tiara and birthday sash on. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In all seriousness though, 30 is a bit of a mind-bender for
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here I am, no longer living an
age that begins with a 2 which, when I entered that period (now a full decade
ago), I was in college and felt like I didn’t have much to worry about until
post-education.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, having lived
those 20-something years, I’m not in the middle of anything really except . . .
living.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There isn’t any graduation
or other indicator to tell me that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">this</span></i> is the moment I should have
my act together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apparently, I
already should have that.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If you had asked my 20-year-old self what I expected my
30-year-old self to have accomplished by the time she enters a new decade, I
shudder at the things she would have said because, in all likelihood, I have
not done/bought/born any of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But this is no time for regrets. Because I can guarantee that my 20-year-old homebody-self
would never have seen her 30-year-old self successfully living in a city that
she has found intimidating-ly awesome since she first visited at the age of 11.
Or that she would have found a
relatively normal existence in such an abnormal living arrangement that all
folks living in New York seem to understand. Or that she would have managed to keep a diabetic cat alive
for 8 years (Just barely though, we did have to go to the vet on my birthday –
he is his mother’s child, always trying to steal the spotlight). </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fw4F57aabhY/UhoemKnETmI/AAAAAAAAAwc/sTvrrI53T50/s1600/Strawberry+and+Nutella+Cake+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fw4F57aabhY/UhoemKnETmI/AAAAAAAAAwc/sTvrrI53T50/s400/Strawberry+and+Nutella+Cake+2.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So, I must say, my 20-year-old self might be surprised but
I’m confident she would be proud.
And probably a little in awe of her 30-something-self. And I can’t blame her, I’m often in awe
of these things too. We all should feel this way because, in all honesty, what do
our 20-something-selves <i>really</i>
know? Not nearly as much as I do
now and I can’t wait to see what my 40-year-old self knows (just kidding, I can
wait for that). </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Even so, I imagine all these women representing these stages
in my life will have the same fundamental Mary Jordan-ness. We’ll have the same self-deprecating
humor, an extreme sense of protectiveness to those whom she loves, a dedication to all things Duke, the tendency to
over-analyze things (see previous six paragraphs) and an utter adoration for
anything with sugar in it. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GMol-UkSiGY/UhoefxKRuUI/AAAAAAAAAwM/6F65zhKVDLc/s1600/Strawberry+and+Nutella+Cake+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GMol-UkSiGY/UhoefxKRuUI/AAAAAAAAAwM/6F65zhKVDLc/s400/Strawberry+and+Nutella+Cake+3.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Chocolate Strawberry Nutella Cake</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Adapted from <a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2013/05/chocolate-strawberry-nutella-cake/">The
Pioneer Woman</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Note: The original recipe linked above is for a two-layer cake, but I halved
everything and just made a one-layer cake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am anticipating my metabolism slowing down now that I'm 30.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">For the Cake</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 stick butter</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2 heaping tablespoons cocoa powder</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">½ cup boiling water</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 cup flour</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 cup sugar</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1/8 teaspoon salt</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">¼ cup buttermilk</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 egg</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">½ teaspoon baking soda</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">½ teaspoon vanilla</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">¾ cup Nutella (or more, depending upon if you want a good
smearing or a thin layer on top)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">For the Strawberries</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 pint of strawberries</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1/8 cup of sugar</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">½ teaspoon vanilla</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">For the Whipped Cream:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 cup heavy cream</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">¼ cup powdered sugar</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Slice and hull your strawberries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Line one round baking pan with some
parchment paper and spray with baking spray.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Melt the butter in the microwave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Add the cocoa, stirring until smooth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Add the boiling water and let sit while
you prepare the other ingredients.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Mix buttermilk, baking soda, eggs and vanilla together in a bowl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Set this aside as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In a large mixing bowl, mix together
the sugar, flour and salt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Add the
hot chocolate mixture, stirring very gently until it is halfway combined.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pour in the buttermilk mixture and stir
very gently until the batter is completely combined.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pour the batter into your prepared baking pan and bake for
17-20 minutes until just set.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let the
cake cool completely in the pan before doing anything with it <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(I was impatient and that’s why my cake
has a ‘rustic-edged’ look to it).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Prepare the strawberries by stirring them with the sugar and
the vanilla, letting them sit for 15 minutes.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Using a mixer, whip the cream with the powdered sugar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Assemble the cake by turning out your cake from its pan once
it has cooled. Spread the Nutella
on top of the cake’s surface.
Spread the whipped cream on top of the Nutella and garnish with your
strawberries. (The juice left over
from the macerated strawberries is delicious. I recommend just drinking it straight from the bowl with a
straw.) Keep chilled until
serving. My cake lasted a few
hours before we served it and it held up quite nicely. </span></div>
MJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02875320493615392575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28017462.post-12874292271651173982013-07-19T20:31:00.001-05:002013-07-20T09:23:55.579-05:00Basil, Cream Cheese and Cinnamon Raisin Bread Sandwiches<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U9v9RzuoxDk/Uenk_MO5OLI/AAAAAAAAAvU/9RjpxUaCrDg/s1600/IMG_0014a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U9v9RzuoxDk/Uenk_MO5OLI/AAAAAAAAAvU/9RjpxUaCrDg/s400/IMG_0014a.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We are well into July (how did that happen?) and in the midst of the third heatwave of the summer. Some say it is the second because the one last month didn't technically have three 90+ degree days in a row. It had two. Which is two more than I would prefer so it constitutes as a heatwave to me.<br /><br />I am in full-on prevent-blackout mode given the 90+ degree weather forecasted to last for a seventh day. One of my biggest fears is being in the city when there is a blackout. I don't fear getting trapped in the subway or the city in darkness, I fear sweating with no opportunity for relief from an air conditioning unit. So I have convinced myself that if I take precautions, I can single-handedly keep a blackout away from this city. These precautions include:</span></div>
<div>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Not cooking (much to Robbie's irritation).</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Raising our air conditioner from the usual 68 degrees, to 72 degrees. (Just kidding - we turned it up to 75 - but only during the day. We turn it back down at night. Baby steps.)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Living in darkness and with minimal electricity which means -- no blow dryer, showering in the semi-dark since our windows' light doesn't reach our bathroom very well and minimizing my lamp usage. I've basically given up looking decent for these past few days.</span></li>
</ol>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IlWmyuOcPcQ/Uenk-T7_1tI/AAAAAAAAAvM/1nEJVfHg1pI/s1600/IMG_0011a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IlWmyuOcPcQ/Uenk-T7_1tI/AAAAAAAAAvM/1nEJVfHg1pI/s400/IMG_0011a.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I have been cooking when the weather <i>hasn't</i> been sweltering though. There was a tres leches cake, some banana pudding and a few dinners here and there, including some fish tacos that were quite summery. But in an effort to keep everyone's kitchens cool, I wanted to share with you this sandwich-turned-appetizer recipe of my mothers. This is her go-to small bite to bring to a party or bridal shower. In the summer, when basil runs rampant, it is especially good for a light lunch or dinner when the thought of turning on any sort of appliance in your kitchen makes you start sweating.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This past weekend, one of my dear friends had a baby and Robbie and I attended the wedding of another friend. So we have much to celebrate. </span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I, personally, may make these tomorrow to celebrate the breaking of the heatwave.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Basil, Cream Cheese and Cinnamon Raisin Bread Sandwiches</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">From My Momma<br />This recipe is very lax. I don't have many specific measurements but I can tell you that one packet of turkey should make about 6-8 sandwiches (so 24 - 32 mini-sandwiches) depending upon how much turkey you use on each sandwich.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Cream Cheese with Chives (The kind that comes in a tub, not the block)</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Cinnamon Raisin Bread (we use the Pepperidge Farm brand - it holds up well)</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Fresh Basil</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Turkey (I prefer the thinner sliced turkey that comes in the reusable Ziploc containers. You get thinner slices that work well on these sandwiches so they aren't so meaty.)</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Get your assembly line going by laying out about ten slices of the bread. Wash and pat dry your fresh basil. Smear a light layer of cream cheese on all slices of the bread and layer a couple slices of turkey on top of the cream cheese of half the slices. Add three to four basil leaves on top of the turkey and close the sandwiches with the other slices of bread. Cut each sandwich into four quadrants. Stick a toothpick in them if you are feeling fancy. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
MJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02875320493615392575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28017462.post-65699522756349342292013-05-31T18:40:00.000-05:002013-05-31T21:03:13.660-05:00Blackberry Lemon Goat Cheese Squares<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qdS7UapgP7I/Uak0ig9BYyI/AAAAAAAAAuI/BZU80V7OqKY/s1600/IMG_0022a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qdS7UapgP7I/Uak0ig9BYyI/AAAAAAAAAuI/BZU80V7OqKY/s400/IMG_0022a.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I know, I know, where have I been the past few weeks?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Without boring you with details, I can
confirm that there was a trip to Texas, a trip to DC, a re-signing of our lease
for another two years (its official, we are crazy) and a lovely New York
spring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now we are in our first
heat wave of the summer (91 today!) and I have sold my soul to the local
appliance store for two new Frigidaire air conditioners that will probably
require at least $200 a month in electricity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But at
least I’ll be comfortable.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Our first summer weekend now lies before us and to keep me
focused on something other than the heat, Robbie innocently suggested we start
an official “Summer 2013 Bucket List.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That comment then led to a twenty+ item list of things we MUST do before
Labor Day or I will consider our summer a failure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He must not have gotten the memo when he married me that I
am a completist (I may have made that up – it probably isn’t in the DSM-IV, although
it should be) because now I have every move of our next three months
planned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JsQhRiWYBuY/Uak0hJhVPWI/AAAAAAAAAuA/Qo_CVkG0Kzw/s1600/IMG_0019a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JsQhRiWYBuY/Uak0hJhVPWI/AAAAAAAAAuA/Qo_CVkG0Kzw/s400/IMG_0019a.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">First thing we will check off is “Go to a baseball game” when
we see the Yankees play the Red Sox Sunday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our next activity could be “Go to an outdoor movie” or “Ride
across the river in a ferry” or “Grill out” (the latter of which will be
interesting because we don’t own a grill which means we need to mooch off of
friends who do – cough – Tom & Kate – cough).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apparently not on the list are things like “Live in the
moment” or “Don’t get so caught up completing your Summer 2013 Bucket List.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s always next summer!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In anticipation of your summer, I recommend you grab some
blackberries and some frozen phyllo dough and make these cuties that could
arguably be considered summer-in-a-bite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The recipe comes from a favorite blog of mine, <a href="http://www.shutterbean.com/"><span style="color: purple;">Shutterbean</span></a>, and I adjusted it minorly
because the original has arugula on each little bite but I felt that would be
too healthy. Happy Summer 2013!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Blackberry Lemon Goat Cheese Squares</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">From <a href="http://www.shutterbean.com/2012/blackberry-lemon-goat-cheese-squares/"><span style="color: purple;">Shutterbean</span></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">6 oz goat cheese, room temperature</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 tablespoon lemon zest</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2 tablespoons honey</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1-2 tablespoons milk</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2 sheets puff pastry, thawed</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1/2 to 1 pint blackberries</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Preheat oven 400F. Line a baking sheet (or two) with
parchment & set aside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mix the
goat cheese, lemon zest, honey and milk together – set aside. In another bowl
stir the blackberries with the balsamic vinegar and let sit for 10
minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On a lightly floured surface,
cut the puff pastry into 2-inch squares and place the squares onto the
parchment lined sheets about 2 inches apart -- you may need to work in
batches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Using a fork, score
a square into the pastry without cutting all the way through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Place a dollop of the lemon goat cheese
mixture on top of each square and top with a blackberry. Bake squares for 15-20
minutes, or until golden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Serve
warm or at room temperature.</span></div>
<br />MJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02875320493615392575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28017462.post-89981941116957938812013-03-23T10:17:00.001-05:002014-03-24T21:27:07.605-05:00Cast-Iron Pork Pie<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z71RWfkBupw/UU3G-Gdad9I/AAAAAAAAAtU/vzSIV6GxJmM/s1600/IMG_0500.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z71RWfkBupw/UU3G-Gdad9I/AAAAAAAAAtU/vzSIV6GxJmM/s400/IMG_0500.png" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">One week ago when I was home in North Carolina for my nephew
</span><a href="http://instagram.com/p/W5G6Krlnp3/" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: purple;">John’s</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> 5</span><sup style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">th</sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> birthday
and to snuggle with this </span><a href="http://instagram.com/p/W292QClnpv/" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: purple;">angel</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">,
the temperature was 75 degrees.
Right now? It is 34 degrees
outside in New York City and they are calling for snow on Monday. Somewhere, someone is enjoying some
lemony pasta with peas and goat cheese or some <span style="color: purple;"><a href="http://thenewtonienne.blogspot.com/2012/05/big-pink-rhubarb-cake.html" target="_blank">rhubarb cake</a></span>. But not here. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I’m still stuffing myself with hearty dishes like this Cast-Iron
Pork Pie from the cookbook of my new-most-favorite-daytime-TV show, <a href="http://beta.abc.go.com/shows/the-chew"><span style="color: purple;">The Chew</span></a>. Yes, it is pretty much the only daytime
TV show I know about but when I go to the gym during my lunch break I get to
watch it. The prospect to watch
the show is the only reason I have consistently(ish) gone to the gym this past
year. My workout routine consists of moving
only my legs on the elliptical machine while I read/watch TV – so basically a
minor step up from 85% of the rest of my life. This is, after all, my second straight
<a href="http://thenewtonienne.blogspot.com/2013/02/pretzel-and-butterscotch-chocolate-chip.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">post about a TV show</span>.</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Whereas most daytime shows are talking heads, these are multi-tasking
heads – primarily in the kitchen. The
show has five hosts - Clinton Kelly, Carla Hall, Mario Batali, Michael Symon
and Daphne Oz. And they all bring
something different to the table (ha!).
They force their celebrity guests to be the assistant in the kitchen and
share recipes, even if the celebrities admit they just order take out most of
the time.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></o:p><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cFWFQqjmIFI/UU3G-o_4vRI/AAAAAAAAAtc/Kyq3L3kFMA8/s1600/IMG_0512.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cFWFQqjmIFI/UU3G-o_4vRI/AAAAAAAAAtc/Kyq3L3kFMA8/s400/IMG_0512.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This recipe is from Michael Symon—the meat lover of the
group. You can make it vegetarian by substituting some hearty veggies like
eggplant or winter squash. (Oh,
you don’t have eggplant in your store anymore? I’ll ship you some.) Already the recipe has kale, onion and celery
but it is still quite porky – and not in the movie sense. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Cast-Iron Pork Pie</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Adapted from <a href="http://www.cafepress.com/thechew.652446452"><span style="color: purple;">The Chew Cookbook</span></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">½ pound bacon, medium diced</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2 pounds ground pork</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2 large onions</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2 cups kale, roughly chopped</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 cup celery, chopped</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2 cloves garlic, minced</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Pinch of ground cinnamon</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Large pinch of salt</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Pinch of pepper</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Pinch of ground nutmeg</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2 tablespoons dried parsley</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2 cups mashed potatoes</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 cup aged Cheddar, grated</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Preheat the oven to 450
degrees Fahrenheit. In a cast-iron
skillet, brown the diced bacon and pork.
I just bought a ½ pound pack of sliced bacon and cut the bacon with some
kitchen shears over the pan so the dices fell directly into the pan. Then all you have to do is discard the
(now cut-up) package the bacon was in.
Once the meat is browned set aside. To the skillet, add onions, kale, celery, garlic, cinnamon,
salt, pepper and nutmeg. Let sit
for 4-5 minutes then add the meat back into the pan with a splash of
water. Mix the ingredients together
and add the parsley, mixing once more.
</span>Turn the heat off and spread your mashed potatoes over the mixture.
Sprinkle this with the cheddar cheese and bake 15-20 minutes until golden. </span><!--EndFragment-->MJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02875320493615392575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28017462.post-61421552079268283392013-02-23T10:22:00.000-05:002013-02-23T10:22:04.763-05:00Pretzel and Butterscotch Chocolate Chip Cookies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0Rj2ZrqAOA8/USjWWwSVDmI/AAAAAAAAAsk/gQIr_FAFPig/s1600/Butterscotch_Pretzel+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0Rj2ZrqAOA8/USjWWwSVDmI/AAAAAAAAAsk/gQIr_FAFPig/s400/Butterscotch_Pretzel+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Raise your hands if you watch the show <a href="http://www.hbo.com/girls/index.html" target="_blank">Girls</a> on HBO. Both of my hands are emphatically raised right now (Newt is dictating) because not only do I watch the show -- I adore the show. I know a lot of people don't like it. Maybe it's because it presents the truth like a slap in the face and that could be hard for some people. </span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">You may have seen Lena Dunham stumbling around in her heels <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2262346/The-towering-inch-Christian-Louboutin-heels-caused-trouble-Lena-Dunham-Golden-Globes-red-carpet.html" target="_blank">accepting Golden Globes</a> recently (at least I can walk in heels better than she can although she's still beating me in the winning-Golden Globes category). The first season was magical and, although this second season has had some hit and miss moments, I still find it strikingly relevant. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It's one of those shows that if I were more brave, I would watch with my mother or father and be like "This is the truth. Ignore all the white noise of nudity and profanity one encounters during each episode and know that I felt (let's be honest -- still regularly feel) this way." But I am still not comfortable enough to watch nudity on TV with my parents. But that's an issue for another day. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In the meantime, order HBO. Or, 'borrow' someone's HBO Go password (thanks Mr. and Mrs. Samuel!) and watch it. There's only ten episodes to a season. Each episode is 30 minutes and there has only been one full season. We are through the sixth episode of the second season. Catch up! You can do it!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In a recent episode, there is a scene where the main character Hannah is interviewing for a job. There is a picture frame on a wall with nothing in it and written on the wall outside of the frame are the words "Where the magic happens." In a comical exchange, we learn that the picture frame represents one's 'comfort zone' and the 'magic happens' outside of said comfort zone. Although this may not seem like the most clever situation ever written within a TV series, it is an example of how the show reinvents old-fashioned cliches into charming coming-of-age themes for the ubiquitous generations X and Y. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hKQWdSobIjY/USjWYGMm_bI/AAAAAAAAAss/nHLOx7SIsmw/s1600/Butterscotch_Pretzel+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hKQWdSobIjY/USjWYGMm_bI/AAAAAAAAAss/nHLOx7SIsmw/s400/Butterscotch_Pretzel+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Some may see this scene and apply it to their jobs or their goals in life. Hannah used it as an excuse to do cocaine for the first time. I apply the scene to cookies. In a blog of standard cakes and brownies, I am going to go outside that picture frame and experience the magic by pushing the envelope on what constitutes a classic chocolate chip cookie. With pretzels and butterscotch. BOOM.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Pretzel and Butterscotch Chocolate Chip Cookies</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Adapted from <a href="http://sallysbakingaddiction.com/2012/05/11/pretzel-butterscotch-chocolate-chip-cookies/" target="_blank">Sally's Baking Addiction</a></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2 cups + 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1/2 teaspoons baking soda</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3/4 cup salted butter, softened</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 cup light brown sugar</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1/2 cup sugar</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 egg, at room temperature</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 egg yolk, at room temperature</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2 teaspoons vanilla extract</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1/2 cup chopped pretzels</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1/2 cup butterscotch chips</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1/2 cup white chocolate chips</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Preheat oven to 325F degrees.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Mix your flour and baking soda in a bowl and set aside. Using
an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugars together. Add the egg, egg yolk,
and vanilla and mix well. Gradually add the flour mixture and stir until a
dough forms. Fold in the pretzels,
butterscotch chips, and chocolate chips.*
Do not overmix the dough.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Chill dough for at least 30 minutes (or up to 5 days) in the
refrigerator. Drop by
tablespoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheet. Bake for 8-12 minutes or until
edges are slightly browned. Mine
took around 12 minute range but I was luxuriating in a bigger kitchen at the
time with a bigger oven.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">*This is a great recipe to make with a child. I tackled it with my nephew John and he
loved chopping the pretzels and adding in all the chips and pretzels. Use a ¼ cup measuring cup to make the ½
cup pours twice as time consuming. </span> </div>
<!--EndFragment--></div>
MJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02875320493615392575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28017462.post-49843403471815917462013-02-16T09:25:00.001-05:002013-02-16T10:56:49.194-05:00Beef and Sausage Stew<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1KvoKjlUwow/UR-VyaJC-gI/AAAAAAAAAsE/U2QwqMjPjW4/s1600/Beef+Stew+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1KvoKjlUwow/UR-VyaJC-gI/AAAAAAAAAsE/U2QwqMjPjW4/s400/Beef+Stew+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Another cold spell is coming! Now that we are in the middle of February, I am making sure to milk all these cold days for what they are worth. After <a href="http://thenewtonienne.blogspot.com/2013/02/red-cabbage-glazed-with-maple-syrup.html" target="_blank">last week's</a> snowfall (9.5 inches!) and Sunday's high temperature expected to be below freezing, I am living it up. Before I know it I'll see nothing but double-digit numbers that begin with 8 or 9 in the forecast with equally as dismal humidity and air pressure numbers. (I watch a lot of "<a href="http://www.weather.com/tv/programs/Wakeup.html" target="_blank">Wake up with Al</a>.") And I'll be reminded of how gross the human body can be when one doesn't take a shower three times a day like I do between the months of May and October.<br /><br />Speaking of how gross the human body is, apparently they get very disgusting on a cruise ship that's lost all power and is floating through the Gulf of Mexico. Probably not the greatest vacation ever but I bet there was never a group of people more excited to see Mobile, Alabama in recent history. Other wacky news includes the meteor that HIT. EARTH. I should note that I am not, in any way, an expert on astral things other than my obsession with Van Morrison's Astral Weeks album but, knowing how big the universe allegedly is, this story scares the beejezus out of me. Now I have to add 'meteor' to my 'things-to-watch-out-for' list when I walk out of my house every day.<br /><br />Oh, and <a href="http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/photos?gameId=330440150&page=2#pg_1" target="_blank">Duke beat UNC</a> in basketball this week. This was neither wacky, nor unexpected but I wanted to make sure I included it.<br /><br />So let's have some stew! This stew has half a dozen types of meat in it.<br /><br />Not really, just two - but they are two substantial meats. Although it was delicious, I would leave out one of these next time and save my arteries the agony. I would also use precooked sausage (as the recipe calls for but which I failed to notice). I used homemade sausage that had not been cooked and this certainly added a richness to the stew that is probably not expected when you follow the original directions. And in typical winter weather fashion, this is a slow cooker recipe. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xCOcMPQMbF4/UR-Vy8u9AiI/AAAAAAAAAsI/jhH4NZ1EffU/s1600/Beef+Stew+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="325" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xCOcMPQMbF4/UR-Vy8u9AiI/AAAAAAAAAsI/jhH4NZ1EffU/s400/Beef+Stew+1.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It will be a sad day when I put it up for the season. Side note - I spy Newt. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Beef and Sausage Stew</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Adapted from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Crock-Pot-Best-Loved-Slow-Cooker-Recipes/dp/1412778638">Best-Loved Slow Cooker Recipes</a></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-puprose flour, divided</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2 teaspoons salt</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 teaspoon black pepper</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3 pounds beef for stew, cut into 1-inch pieces</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 can (16 ounces) diced tomatoes in juice, undrained</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3 red potatoes, peeled and diced</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1/2 pound smoked sausage, sliced</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 cup chopped leek</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 1/3 cup sliced white mushrooms (I added these, the original recipe called for a chopped onion)</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">4 ribs celery, sliced</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1/2 cup chicken broth</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3 cloves garlic, minced</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 teaspoon dried thyme</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3 tablespoons water</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Put 1/2 cup flour, salt and pepper in a large sealable bag. Shake so it is well mixed. Add beef. Shake again until beef is coated with flour mixture. Put beef in your slow cooker. Add remaining ingredients except the 2 tablespoons of flour and 3 tablespoons of water. stir well. Cover and cook on Low for 8 to 12 hours or on high 4 to 6 hours. One hour before serving, remove the lid and skim of any excess fat should you have used uncooked sausage (like I did). Combine the remaining 2 tablespoons of flour with the 3 tablespoons of water in a small bowl. Stir until becomes a paste. Add the paste to the stew and mix well. Cover. Turn slow cooker to High and cook until thickened. </span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
MJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02875320493615392575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28017462.post-54608543259238550772013-02-09T10:28:00.002-05:002013-02-09T10:33:48.314-05:00Red Cabbage Glazed with Maple Syrup<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u_osBuAgOKQ/URZqrgM3jJI/AAAAAAAAArk/UFqyXdLsJug/s1600/IMG_0577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u_osBuAgOKQ/URZqrgM3jJI/AAAAAAAAArk/UFqyXdLsJug/s400/IMG_0577.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I adore snow.
People up here think I’m crazy.
I was convinced that everywhere but New York City would see more snow
than me this winter and I assumed it was my fault. I tend to repel snow (except the infamous blizzard of Christmas
2010 where Chesapeake/Virginia Beach got over a foot of snow, stranding Robbie
and me from Christmas, Part Deux with my family – luckily my parents didn’t
give my gifts away). </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Last winter (my first winter here) was one of the mildest
winters in New York City and this winter seemed to be heading in the same
direction. We’ve had some really
cold spells but I don’t mind the cold either. I have a jacket that looks like I’m walking around in a
sleeping bag so I can cope. I
can’t hear anything and my peripheral vision becomes obsolete but that’s
ok. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There were rumblings at the beginning of this week about
snow at the end of the week. I got
semi-excited. But then, when I
heard Al Roker say “Nor’easter” and “Clipper” in the same sentence, I
immediately perked up. This could
be big. We went from the 3 – 6
inches range, to the 3 – 30 inch range (quite a range), to the 12-18 inch range
and ended up in the 6-12 inch range.
Enough to make everything pretty and white and not so much that my
weekend is ruined. I’d say it was
a pretty perfect situation. Side
note – I have yet to step outside since yesterday afternoon so I may change my
mind the first time I step out into the street into what appears to be asphalt
and is actually six inches of dirty snow water . . . </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here’s something else I love that may seem strange –
cabbage. And when you bake cabbage with maple syrup and apples a wonderful thing happens. It becomes sweet and soft with a wonderful tender texture. Throw an egg
on top and you have yourself a complete meal. And that striking red from the cabbage looks great against
the backdrop of a snowy evening. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3j3HaUpW_VI/URZqswfMltI/AAAAAAAAArs/EAeKeUFgt8w/s1600/IMG_0589.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3j3HaUpW_VI/URZqswfMltI/AAAAAAAAArs/EAeKeUFgt8w/s400/IMG_0589.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Red Cabbage Glazed with Maple Syrup</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Adapted from the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Essential-New-York-Times-Cookbook/dp/0393061035" target="_blank">Essential New York Times Cookbook</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">5 slices bacon</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 onion</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 medium firm, tart apple (I used a Granny Smith)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1/2 a head of a good size-red cabbage (or as much as you want, you could use a lot more if you like)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 bay leaf</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/4 cup maple syrup (the original called for 1/2 cup maple syrup but you don't need this much if you use just 1/2 a head of cabbage)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">salt and pepper</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Slice your bacon and then saute until crisp in a cast iron skillet (or some other ovenproof casserole dish). Mince your onion and slice your apple. Prepare your head of cabbage by removing the outer leaves and the core. Shred the remainder. Add the onion and saute until translucent. Add the remaining ingredients, cover with foil, and transfer to the oven. Bake for 30 minutes. </span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->MJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02875320493615392575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28017462.post-5623835528442661672013-01-26T12:09:00.000-05:002013-01-26T12:09:34.147-05:00Fat Witch Brownies
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Wphb81f1uAY/UQQNS52X67I/AAAAAAAAArE/5D5zugHsmew/s1600/IMG_0611.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Wphb81f1uAY/UQQNS52X67I/AAAAAAAAArE/5D5zugHsmew/s400/IMG_0611.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I have found that New Yorkers are really social. People who live in the city offer to
host dinner parties/get-togethers/general hanging out in their homes all the
time. Especially in the winter
when the local bar or restaurant is too far to travel because your ears my fall
off from frostbite. It turns out
ear muffs were not just something that looked cute on me when I was
six-years-old. They actually serve a purpose.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The willingness to host guests for an evening of fun in
one’s apartment is fascinating to me because everyone who lives here
(correction, everyone with whom I associate) has either A) an incredibly small
apartment or B) random nooks and crannies that would deem a dinner party
impossible to accommodate in one room leaving someone sitting by themselves in
the bathroom because that is the only seat available. Or both. These
two are not mutually exclusive.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Nevertheless, people are still willing to open their hearts
and homes on a snowy Friday night to hang out and that is where we found ourselves
last night. Two of my neighbors
and I thought we should host a progressive dinner party in an effort to hang
out with our fellow 33 West 89ers.
The plan was to start on the second floor for appetizers, head to the
fourth floor for empanadas and hit up the fifth floor for dessert (this was my
contribution, naturally). Once I
got over the fear of letting ten people into our miniscule living room
(complete with floor maps of what the most efficient seating arrangement would
look like), I was ready. As we all
gathered on the second floor and mingled with our neighbors, we realized we
should just bring the food there instead of moving herds of folks up three
extra flights of stairs after gorging on wine and cheese. And that is what we did. We brought the progression to
them. And it was lovely. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></o:p><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tIoUy38r7r0/UQQNeMmXAyI/AAAAAAAAArM/RXEwbhqC2kE/s1600/IMG_0614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tIoUy38r7r0/UQQNeMmXAyI/AAAAAAAAArM/RXEwbhqC2kE/s400/IMG_0614.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My contribution included cupcakes (to be revealed on a later
post) and these brownies from the popular <a href="http://www.fatwitch.com/">Fat
Witch Bakery</a> in <a href="http://chelseamarket.com/">Chelsea Market</a>. Chelsea Market has long been one of my
favorite spots in NYC. When I would
visit Robbie here (pre-Robbie-in-London, pre-law-school, pre-marriage), we made
it a point to stop in and peruse the shops. In the five years since, it has become much more of a
tourist attraction (can’t say I blame them) with a random Anthropologie thrown
in the mix of local bakeries and vendors.
They were a hit last night, even with some unintentional extra
chocolatey-ness. (I added 1 cup of bittersweet chocolate instead of ½ cup. Oops.) </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">These are best eaten the same night (or soon after) unless
you can find a way to keep them as airtight as possible. There’s a reason Fat
Witch Bakery individually wraps their brownies with tight cellophane. I will say, though, that they are still
their crumbly, chocolate deliciousness on a Saturday morning with one’s cup of
coffee. Just saying. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Fat Witch Brownies</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Adapted from <a href="http://www.fatwitch.com/FWBcookbook.html">Fat Witch Brownies – The
Cookbook</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">14 Tablespoons Butter</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 cup bittersweet chocolate (The original recipe calls for ½
cup plus 2 tablespoons bittersweet chocolate chips but I used a bar of
bittersweet chocolate and chopped it up until I had a cup. So I broke the rules twice.)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 ¼ cups granulated sugar</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">4 large eggs</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 teaspoon vanilla extract</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">½ cup plus 2 tablespoons of flour</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Pinch of Salt</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In a saucepan over low heat, melt the butter and chocolate
together, stirring often. Set
aside to cool once they have melded into each other. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and grease a 9x9 inch
baking pan. Cream the sugar, eggs
and vanilla together. This can be
done by hand, no need to break out the mixer. With a whisk, mix with some hearty elbow grease until it is
a light yellow color and well-incorporated. Add the chocolate mixture and mix until blended. Add the flour and salt and mix until
combined and you see no more dry ingredients in the batter. Pour the batter into the baking pan and
bake for 33 minutes. (I left mine
for 36 minutes. This is what happens when my timer breaks and I convince myself
I can just remember that I have brownies in the oven and should check back in
33 minutes.) Remove from the oven
and let cool for 1 hour. They are
much easier to cut if you wait this hour although I know it will be tempting to
dive right in. </span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->MJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02875320493615392575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28017462.post-77308057694786302642013-01-19T10:48:00.003-05:002014-03-24T21:27:49.523-05:00Thai Coconut Lentils<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9Qe6OGYgyMs/UPq_wRZFpJI/AAAAAAAAAqk/u7KIpjGsVj4/s1600/IMG_0275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9Qe6OGYgyMs/UPq_wRZFpJI/AAAAAAAAAqk/u7KIpjGsVj4/s400/IMG_0275.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I love weekends. Adding an extra day makes them even better. I start them off with a list of all the things I want to accomplish and then, inevitably, I end the weekend on Monday night watching the Bachelor and thinking about how I only marked off a quarter of what I had planned. Let's hope I at least spend some time watching the Inauguration (or at least the assessment of Sasha and Malia's outfit choices) and do something for humankind in honor of MLK Jr. Day. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Speaking of The Bachelor. I am extremely excited about this season. I have been a loyal viewer of the Bachelor/Bachelorette franchise since Season 2. I watched through college when my older and wiser sorority sisters would have viewing parties of the show and explain this is how <i>not</i> to go about getting a guy and then have kept watching over 20 seasons later. I remember every moment on this <a href="http://tv.yahoo.com/news/25-seasons-drama-bachelor-franchise-25-most-memorable-195500437.html" target="_blank">list</a> like it was yesterday and I loyally follow many of my favorite contestants as they continue to make their way through life. Except <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=6993944&page=1" target="_blank">Jason</a>. I am still hurt about that one. </span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">You may wonder why I'm talking about my dedication like it's something I'm proud of. I will remind you that I can't make it through a weekend to-do list so 25 seasons of a tv show is pretty impressive. </span></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eMeU4_Sx8kM/UPq_ybyI9HI/AAAAAAAAAqs/aeCTC9mHKow/s1600/IMG_0276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eMeU4_Sx8kM/UPq_ybyI9HI/AAAAAAAAAqs/aeCTC9mHKow/s400/IMG_0276.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Granted, the show is incredibly entertaining. It's a great mixture of hot and spicy romance with sweet and tender moments. And then the contestants themselves are often a train wreck which makes all of us look better. I make Robbie watch it so he knows how lucky he is. And then I feed him this dinner. Perfectly appropriate for your next Bachelor viewing party. It is hot and spicy from the curry and pepper while sweet and tender from the coconut milk and sweet potatoes. Maybe it could be the next contestant on the Bachelor. Someone get Chris Harrison on the phone. </span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Thai Coconut Lentils</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Adapted from <a href="http://pinchofyum.com/thai-basil-coconut-lentils" target="_blank">Pinch of Yum</a> via <a href="http://tastykitchen.com/recipes/special-dietary-needs/thai-basil-coconut-lentils/" target="_blank">Tasty Kitchen</a></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #5f6161; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 cup uncooked lentils, rinsed</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3 cloves minced garlic</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 tablespoon olive oil</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">½ heads green cabbage, chopped</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3 cups cubed sweet potatoes</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 pinch cayenne pepper</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 teaspoon chili powder</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">½ teaspoons salt</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 can Coconut Milk, 14 ounce</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1-½ Tablespoon Green Curry paste </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">½ cups Crushed Peanuts For Topping</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Rinse your lentils well to avoid any gritty taste in the final product. Cook the lentils in a pot of boiling water until soft, for about 45 minutes. Drain the water and set lentils aside. While lentils are cooking, saute the garlic in the olive oil over medium high heat. Add the cabbage and stir fry until the cabbage begins to soften. If you would like more cabbage, you can add it here. The cabbage gives this dish a lot of heft. Remove from heat and set aside (or add to the bowl of lentils – everything will be added back into the pan momentarily). Add a little more oil to the pan and add the sweet potato. Season with the cayenne, chili powder, and salt—or any other seasonings you like. Add the coconut milk and simmer the squash for 8-10 minutes or until soft but not mushy. Add the green curry paste and stir until mixed in with the coconut milk. Add the cooked cabbage and lentils to the squash and gently stir to combine. Top each bowl with chopped peanuts if you desire.</span></div>
</div>
MJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02875320493615392575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28017462.post-87797854969305592772013-01-12T10:15:00.000-05:002013-01-12T10:17:17.549-05:00Ricotta Spinach Pie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ols8WnbSJf0/UPF9u8Lbb1I/AAAAAAAAApk/gu8hkwsnQ2w/s1600/IMG_0311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ols8WnbSJf0/UPF9u8Lbb1I/AAAAAAAAApk/gu8hkwsnQ2w/s320/IMG_0311.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It's Oscars Season! I now have about 25 movies I have to see between now and</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> the Academy Awards. I'll be spending way too much money (and time) sitting in a dark room with strangers over the next few weeks but at least I will be able to make pretentious comments about the contenders. I saw Les Miserables last night and I am disappointed to say that it was the most boring two and a half hours of 2013 so far. <br /><br />For the record, here were my top five movies this year:</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Argo - Ben Affleck with facial hair. Hollaaaa! In my opinion, he deserved Best Director and Best Acting nomination. But I am a huge fan and obviously many people disagreed with me. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Intouchables - A French film that is AWESOME. It's a really touching story and if you want to watch one feel-good movie prior to the Oscars, make it this one. NOTE: This French film should not be confused with the other French film, Amour - another great movie according to my husband. Unfortunately, I have not seen it but any movie that has a title that means 'love' and has my husband's raves must be exceptional.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Dark Knight Rises - My movie experience was heightened because the two nights prior to seeing the movie, I rewatched Batman Begins and Dark Knight and therefore, I was of the variety of viewers who recognized the obscure connections from the previous two movies (thereby irritating all those people around me with my chuckles of acknowledgement). </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Amazing Spider-man - I adore movies with real life couples. Emma and Andrew were precious. I have reenacted the scene where Spiderman throws his web out to catch Gwen Stacy and she twirls back to him over and over again in the living room/kitchen/foyer area of the apartment. Note the use of 'I' in that sentence. I'm reenacting this by myself while Newt stares lazily back at me from the couch.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Zero Dark Thirty - Another one who was snubbed for Best Director category. I actually saw this one in 2013 but I'm going to still count it if you don't mind. It was the most intriguing movie I saw this year. If I can't chose this one then I will replace it with Wreck-it Ralph. But the intellect of my list will take a severe hit. </span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You should find the nearest Redbox and pick up some of these or go to the movie theater and enjoy the magic. We will be watching Beasts of the Southern Wild tonight. 24 to go! </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d2r6kkuhS9Q/UPF9tl9vaVI/AAAAAAAAApc/Ifp9Wy5_6xk/s1600/IMG_0298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d2r6kkuhS9Q/UPF9tl9vaVI/AAAAAAAAApc/Ifp9Wy5_6xk/s320/IMG_0298.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Now, what to eat for these movie marathon watching sessions? I recommend something easy to throw together and then something that will need to bake so you can get the movie started. Then, it will give you a good break from the movie to discuss second-act transitions while you pull the dish out of the oven and enjoy. Start off with this Spinach Ricotta Pie. I completely removed one of the cheeses from the recipe as I didn't want to have a heart attack during the credits. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />Spinach Ricotta Pie </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Adapted from <a href="http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Ricotta-Spinach-Pie-1548">Bon Appetit</a></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<ul class="ingredientsList" style="list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<li class="ingredient" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 refrigerated pie crust at room temperature</span></li>
<li class="ingredient" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 teaspoon all purpose flour</span></li>
</ul>
<ul class="ingredientsList" style="list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<li class="ingredient" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3 tablespoons butter</span></li>
<li class="ingredient" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 medium onion, chopped</span></li>
<li class="ingredient" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 10-ounce package frozen chopped spinach, thawed</span></li>
<li class="ingredient" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1/2 teaspoon salt</span></li>
<li class="ingredient" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1/2 teaspoon pepper</span></li>
<li class="ingredient" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg</span></li>
</ul>
<ul class="ingredientsList" style="list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<li class="ingredient" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 15-ounce container ricotta cheese</span></li>
<li class="ingredient" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 cup grated Parmesan cheese</span></li>
<li class="ingredient" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3 large eggs, beaten to blend</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<div class="instruction" style="padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Preheat oven to 350°F. Unfold pie crust and press out folds. Sprinkle the tablespoon of flour over the crust and place the crust flour-side down in a pie dish. Crimp the edges decoratively. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Take your thawed spinach and drain it of as much moisture as you can. (I put mine in a wide lipped bowl and then placed an empty wide lipped bowl on top of it and pressed out the liquid into the sink.) Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and sauté until tender, about 8 minutes. Add spinach, salt, pepper and nutmeg. Sauté until all liquid from spinach evaporates, about 3 minutes. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Combine ricotta and Parmesan cheeses in large bowl. Mix in eggs. Add spinach mixture from the pan and blend well. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Pour the cheese mixture into pie crust. Bake until filling is set in center and brown on top, about 35-40 minutes. Let stand for a few minutes before cutting and serving. </span></div>
</div>
</div>
MJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02875320493615392575noreply@blogger.com0