The nursery, a local store, and a recipe...

Isn't that a good title? I don't have the time for multiple posts so here's what's going on in my world:

Robert and I are still on the hunt for a house. We want something we can renovate, and it's hard to find something in our price range we can put a lot of $$ into. I do realize that there will be a baby in our world in just a few (eeek!) months, so I have instead become focused on the baby's room. Which is much more fun!! I have a few things already I want to use.



White jenny lind baby bed (I got this at an auction for $75!)



My Dad's baby chest (needs a fresh coat of paint and knobs)

 

Birdcage wall hanging for pics and baby shower invite, etc.

 

Lamp - a gift from Robert

These last 2 items came from a local store here in Albany - Livi and Company. I have bought several things there over the years and their prices are very reasonable! It's a mix of old and new. Here are a few other things from Livi I have in my home...

As I mentioned before, Robert has been running, and he finished his second race a few weeks ago, the Gate in Jacksonville. I decided to stay home and rest (which if you know me is really big--I do not usually like to be alone, but I have to admit...it was nice!). I made a special congratulatory dinner for him that Sunday night and it was awesome!! I have never made anything by the Neely's (the show on the Food Network is a little on the annoying side...spice fairy anyone?) but this recipe looked right up Robert's alley. Here is the recipe for Short Ribs. Yum!

I followed the recipe from the website exactly, but I didn't have any red wine, so I substituted beef broth.

That's it for now...happy Spring!

Fish Dishes

I am still working on the internet situation (it's been very hard to plan a vacation or check e-mail or stay up to date with people on facebook, so if you are sick, pregnant, or have any news...you will have to be old fashioned and just call me!) , BUT I have to tell you about 2 great fish recipes. I have made and tested both and both are blog-worthy...

1. Fish Tacos with Chipotle Cream

2. Grilled Tilapia with Lemon Butter, Capers, and Orzo

I have pictures of both but I will have to post later!

Happy cooking :)

Peach Salsa

Robert and I got married about 3 1/2 years ago. Wow! It seems like 2, tops. While we received a lot of gifts (which we appreciate :) one of my favorites is a cookbook. I learned (when my mom gave me the list of family guests!) that I have some cousins in Augusta, home of the Masters. They sent me Par 3 Tea Time at the Masters. I remember thinking, "What? We don't play golf!?" and it landed in the pile o' gifts. Well, let me tell you, it's in my top 3 cookbooks that I use OFTEN and this latest recipe is the perfect summer appetizer! So head out to your local farmers market (or if you live in Albany...Mark's Melon Patch or Publix) and grab some peaches. You will love this one.

Peach Salsa

3 peaches, peeled, pitted and cut into bite-size pieces
1 red or green pepper, diced
1/4 cup diced red onion
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
5 to 6 fresh Basil leaves, cut into ribbons

1/2 teaspoon minced garlic

1/4 teaspoon salt

Combine all and mix in a large bowl. Cover and chill for at least 1 hour.

Enjoy!

P.S. Other great recipes from this cookbook I have made:

Spinach Squares

Ultimate Breakfast Strata

Baked Corn Dip

Hot chicken and Sausage Dip

Chix Parm

Since I have recently learned that there are those of you out there who read my blog (and actually try my recipes...thank you!), here is another recipe. If you need something quick and easy and yummy, try this Chicken Parmesan. It's one of Robert's favorite meals so I think the hubbies (and kids) will enjoy it too!

Chicken Parmesan

3 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 egg plus 1/4 cup water
1 cup italian bread crumbs
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
6 slices mozzarella (I like the packaged mozz ball in the cheese section at Publix)
1 large jar tomato sauce of your choice
pasta

In a small bowl, mix the egg and water together. In another dish, mix bread crumbs and parm. Slice each breast in half lengthwise so that you have 6 very thin cutlets. Salt and pepper each. Dip each one in the egg mix, then bread crumb mixture.

Heat a small amount of olive oil in a large sautee pan and brown each piece until golden brown. Meanwhile, pour the tomato sauce in an 9x13 baking dish and heat the oven to broil. After browning all pieces of the chicken, place them in the dish on top of the sauce and top each with a thick slice of mozzarella.

Broil until cheese is melted and slightly brown on top. Serve immediately on top of whole grain penne or pasta of your choice, and don't forget the crunchy french bread (see my favorite brand below). And maybe a salad. Just maybe -- if you have more time than me :)

You can find this yummy bread in the freezer section at your local Publix.

ENJOY!

Fettuccine Alfredo with Chicken and Broccoli

Most all of my recipes I can't take credit for, this one included. I often add something or change up an ingredient, but that does not make it MINE. This one is Giada's (also check out her new Target line!). Her recipes, like Ina's (my other fave), are simple and to the point, and ones you will go back to time and time again. Her basic recipe for alfredo is one not to miss---it's so simple. Never, never, never use the jarred stuff. It's okay not good- this is the real thang and totally worth the effort! I added chicken and broccoli, but make it your own! Next time I might add shrimp. Yummy to my tummy.

Fettuccine Alfredo (basic recipe)

1-1/2 cups heavy cream
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
1-2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
pinch of nutmeg
salt
9 ounces fettuccine
1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon white pepper (i used black. i'm a rebel.)

In a large heavy skillet, stir 1 cup of the cream and the lemon juice to blend. Add the butter and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the butter melts...about 3 minutes. Stir in the lemon zest and nutmeg. Remove from the heat.

Meanwhile, bring a large pot of boiling water to a boil. Add the fettuccine and cook until al dente. Drain. Add the pasta, remaining cream, parmesan, and the salt and pepper to taste.

Toss over low heat until the sauce thickens slightly , about 1 minute. Serve immediately!

Note: Cook the chicken (I sauteed in a grill pan with salt and pepper) and steam broccoli beforehand if using. Toss in last.

P.S. I am renaming my blog KARYNBACONFOOD.

Curried Chicken Salad

I have never eaten much chicken salad because of the globs of mayo (yuk!) so when I came accross this recipe by Ellie Krieger, I had to try it. It is delicious (and *bonus* healthy!), and I make it a lot. It's great to take to work, or keep in the fridge for sandwiches or even on a bed of mixed greens with a simple dressing like Ellie's recipe. This is my quick spin of her recipe using a shortcut: buying a rotisserie chicken instead of cooking it. I hope you enjoy...and happy Spring!

Curried Chicken Salad

1 rotisserie chicken
1/4 cup sliced almonds
1/2 cup nonfat plain yogurt
2 tbsp mayonnaise
1 teaspoon curry powder
1 cup halved red grapes
1/4 cup chopped cilantro leaves
salt and freshly ground pepper

Remove the light and dark meat from the rotisserie chicken, and cube.

Toast the almonds in a dry skillet over medium-high heat until golden brown and fragrant. In a large bowl, stir together the yogurt, mayonnaise, and curry powder.

Fold in the chicken, grapes and cilantro, and season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Store in the fridge in an air tight container.

How easy is that?!

The Ultimate Roast

I have 3 recipes ready to post and I am going to take it one at a time because it is apparently the only thing I have to blog about lately! Here is the roast recipe I promised.

Ingredients:

1 boneless chuck roast (you can find these on sale at Publix at least one whole week per month)
1 onion
2 cloves garlic
olive oil
salt and pepper
seasoning of your choice (I use seasoned salt or nature's seasoning, but you can pretty much use anything)
1 cup water

And that's it!! So easy...and your husband (or boyfriend, or any other male for that matter) will love you. It's such a "meat and potatoes" meal. I usually serve with mashed potatoes and peas. You could also add red potatoes, carrots, etc. to this dish if you like...right in the pot!

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 250 degrees. Season the meat with salt, pepper, etc. and sear in olive oil on medium-high heat in a grill pan or non-stick pan until brown on both sides.

Slice the onions and mince the garlic. Place half in the bottom of a baking dish or dutch oven.

Lay the seared roast on top and cover with other half of onions and garlic.

Pour 1 cup of water over, cover and bake for 4-6 hours. It will FALL APART.

Enjoy!!

Super Food Sunday

Since I really do not care to watch the Super Bowl, I decided a great way to "participate" in the festivities today was to COOK! It started out with Robert *surprise* wanting to cook some big piece of meat. He gave me two choices: ribs or a Boston Butt. I chose the butt. I went to Publix for my weekly run and decided to make scalloped potatoes for our side dish (along with some peas I had put away in the freezer). Upon my arrival back to the house, I got the question I was hoping not to get: "What's for dessert?" Hmmm...NOT going back to the store. I remembered my granny's chocolate pound cake recipe! Surely I had all the ingredients? Yep!! Here are both recipes from tonight, which both turned out pretty darn good if I do say so myself :) AND I got out of watching any of the football. Hehehe...

Granny's Chocolate Pound Cake

3 sticks butter, room temp.
5 eggs
3 cups sugar
3 cups cake flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1 tbsp vanilla
1 cup milk

Cream butter and sugar in an electric mixer or by hand. Add eggs one at a time and mix after each one. Separately combine the flour, cocoa, and baking powder in a mixing bowl. Starting with the flour mixture, alternately add the milk and flour mix to the cream mixture, ending with the flour mix. Pour in a greased and floured pan and bake at 325 for 1 hour 15 mins.

Dust off the ol' mixer.

Make sure to grease AND flour the pan if you want it to come out!

What do I love more than Granny's pound cake? Her milk glass cake stand.

Scalloped Potatoes

2-1/2 lbs. red potatoes (I used yukon gold), thinly sliced
1/4 cups flour
1 garlic clove, minced
1 shallot, chopped
1/2 tsp crushed dried red pepper
3 tbsp butter
1-1/4 cups milk
1-1/2 cups heavy cream
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 black pepper
1-1/2 cups grated Gruyere cheese (I used sharp cheddar and swiss...Gruyere is espensive!!)
1/2 cup grated parmesan

Toss sliced potatoes with flour in a large bowl. Sautee garlic and shallot in butter and add coated potatoes, milk, and next 3 ingredients, stirring well. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until thickened.

Spoon half of the potato mixture in a baking dish and top woth 1/2 the cheese and repeat. Top with parmesan cheese. Cover and bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Uncover and cook for another 35-40 minutes until bubbly and brown.

My new knife!! ;)

Brown and bubbly, as promised.

Robert's BUTT. I have to give him credit for this. He smoked it all day and it was yummy!

I went a little overboard with the potatoes, and, yes, I ate them all.

P.S. Who won the game?! :)