A Town

Robert and recently took a trip to Athens to see our dear friends Jon, Mandy, and Ernie. We went to the G-day game, played some spades (Robert is a cheater!), and had a really good time. My little cousin Ernie (or ET) is the coolest!! He was such a doll all weekend and we just can't wait to see him again. I know him and Uncle Robert will be best buds :) All kids love Robert. A few examples...My friend Brandi's son, Finn, knows Mama, Dada, Yaya (grandma), I am sure his other grandparents names, and Robba (Robert)! I do not think he knows who I am :) My sister's daughter, Anna Kate, loves me. I am sure of it. But who does she love more? Uncle Wobert! I went to my parents house Sunday to see my sweet neice and new nephew (with gifts for both might I add), and pretty much as soon as I gave her her new pink dress, she looked up at me with the most confused look, and said "Where's uncle Wobert?" I am convinced I will be my nephew Carson's favorite. He seems pretty laid back. Maybe one day we will go fishing together. Sooo back to Athens, here are some pics from our trip. Thanks Anderson clan for a fun weekend!

Mandy and Ernie (in red on red)

the boys

Jon and Ernie (*see Cali n Titos below)

me and Mandy and ET

*wink*

my favorite!!

me and Robert

*Have you ever been to Cali n Titos in Athens? It's a little Latin American gem where you can sit outside, BYOB, and eat really good food. I like the empanadas and fish tacos. Pic below courtesy of http://www.yelp.com/. I couldn't find a website...

Beach Chic!

Did you know Stanley Furniture has a Coastal Living furniture collection?! There are some great pieces. A few of my faves are below. AND, I am pretty sure (if I remember correctly from my residential furniture days) Stanley is quite affordable!!

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?!

For the Love of...

Charlotte! She is my youngest daughter (ok, dog) and I can NOT believe she is 6 today. Nor can I believe my eldest, Annie, is 9. I have said it before and I will say it again...why can't dogs live as long as humans?! I will never understand the short life span that dogs are given. I am forced to think that maybe it's because there are so many animals out there to love that God needs us to be parents to so many in a lifetime, and in return we get the unconditional love of more than one, or two, or three (or knowing me it might be 30 before I die!). Anyway.......I know once I have kids they will be outside more, be petted less, and second fiddle to actual blood human beings, but I don't see how I will ever love them any less. They are growling at each other as I write (Annie on the left, Charlotte on the right) over me, and I love every minute of it!!!!!!

Happy Birthday Charlotte Bear!!

P.S. I have about 5 recipes saved up to blog about, but have been pre-occupied lately with work and "Couch Potato to 5K", so we will talk soon! ;)

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!!

Love is in the Air

Just in case I didn't eat enough at Trellis last night (and it was yummy), I cooked breakfast this morning for my VALENTINE!

Happy Valentine's Day!!!!!