A Testament of Fate

On December 27th, 2009 I was in a Pizza Hut in Pierre, South Dakota.

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We were waiting for our 37 meat pizza's (and one stuffed crust) to be baked n boxed when I noticed this: "Funky Face Disguises!" "Look Cool!"

and "Fool Your Friends!"

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Count me in!

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Okay, it wasn't exactly that easy, I was worried about jeopardizing 50 cents only to get the "two sideburns" or possibly the "hairy mole". Lets be honest, those disguises wouldn't fool a soul.

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Another obstacle, all of the disguises appeared to be comprised of dark hair... and we all know blond hair + black mustache screams- fake mustachio!

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However, with some convincing from Danny's sister in law I decided to embark on the disguise journey. Good Freaking Thing- It was clearly Fate!

Fatefully, I got a blond mustache in the sea of Brown.

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There in lies is my testament of fate. Becca & the blond Mustache!

Stuffed Panko Chicken

Stuffed- I forgot the mention the most important thing in the title.

The chicken breast are stuffed.

Review(s):

Danny's Review: "This is good, you should add it to the repeat list...".

I have a hard time repeating, but we have a list just in case one day I get wild and crazy and decide to stick with tried and true.

My Review: I liked this a lot. I would recommend serving it with some creamy risotto on the side, as apposed to the potatoes I used this time. Is it just me or does everyone need something saucy in every meal!?

Heavily adapted from:

http://www.williams-sonoma.com/recipe/baked-stuffed-chicken-breasts-with-arugula-and-fontina.html

Ingredients:
2 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for greasing
1 Cup Feta Cheese

4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, each about 7 oz.
1 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1/2 tsp. freshly ground pepper
1 large garlic clove, minced
16 spinach leaves, tough stems removed
2 eggs
1 cup panko bread crumbs
1 tsp. dried oregano
1 tsp. dried basil, crumbled

1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper

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1. Preheat over to 400 degrees. Lightly oil a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.

2. Using a flat meat pounder, pound each chicken breast half until flattened to an even thickness of about 1/4 inch. Season the chicken breasts with the salt and pepper.

3. Top chicken breast with one-fourth of the garlic and spinach, torn as needed to fit the breast half, leaving a 1-inch border uncovered on all sides. Top with a piece of cheese. Starting at a short end, roll up the breast, tucking in the filling as needed; set seam side down. Repeat with the remaining chicken, garlic, spinach and cheese.

4. In a bowl, whisk together the eggs and 1 Tbs. of the olive oil.

5. In a shallow dish, stir together the bread crumbs, oregano and rosemary.

6. One at a time, coat a rolled chicken breast with the egg mixture and then roll in the bread crumbs, coating evenly. Place the breaded breasts, seam side down, on a parchment-lined surface.

7. Place the oiled baking dish in the oven and heat until very hot, about 3 minutes.

8. Carefully arrange the breaded breasts, seam side down, in the hot dish. Drizzle evenly with the remaining 1 Tbs. oil. Bake until the bread crumbs are golden brown about 35 minutes.

9. Remove. Serve. Eat.

Meatball Fame

So... my meatballs are becoming famous.

http://www.ourbestbites.com/2010/02/sweet-and-sour-meatballs-easy.html

Why do I feel jealous?

On another appetizer note: bacon wrapped anything wins!

Tasty Tuesday Recap

As you all know I love cooking, since cooking leads to food, and food leads to bliss. At least it leads to bliss in my word. As you also know, I have not spent much time in the kitchen since I lost my mind and went back to school. In order to help fill the gaping hole in my heart, where cooking used to dwell, Danny and I started a new tradition. I cook something new every Tuesday!

I know, big stinkin deal you cook ONCE a week. Most of you probably run ultra marathons once a week. But hey, it is a big deal to me, someone who doesn't have her own kitchen, and spends most nights away from home.

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Anyhow, sometimes my Tuesday concoctions turn out amazing (see below). Other times, well other times we have to get take out. Regardless of how these turn out, I have decided to document my culinary victories and defeats right here.

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Victory Numero Uno:

Fettuccine with Creamy Tomato Italian Turkey Sausage Sauce

Adapted from Simply Recipes. Original Recipe: http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/fettuccine_with_creamy_tomato_italian_sausage_sauce/

INGREDIENTS:

· 2 Tbsp olive oil
· 2 large garlic cloves, chopped
· 3/4 pound spicy or hot Italian turkey sausage, casings removed
· 1 cup whipping cream
· 1 14.5-ounce cans diced tomatoes in juice
· 1 Can of tomato paste
· 1 Tbsp Italian seasoning
· Chopped Fresh Basil
· 1 box fettuccine
· 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

METHOD
1. Heat oil in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add garlic and saute for about 3 minutes. Add sausages and saute until no longer pink, breaking up the sausages a bit, about 7 minutes. Add cream; simmer 5 minutes. Add tomatoes with juices, and tomatoes paste. Add spices. Simmer until sauce thickens, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water (I add EVOO to stop sticking) until just tender but still firm to bite.
3. Serve sauce over pasta, season with salt and pepper and Parmesan.

I served this with a awesome Caesar salad, and my staple garlic bread on the side.

This recipe serves about 6 (or 3 if Danny’s ravenous roommate is one of the dinner guest)

A White Out Christmas

I finally have some pictures from our holiday adventures in South Dakota, but prior to divulging the entire Christmas story, equipped with several Christmas Miracles, I want to reflect on this:

The roads that we drove on for much of our Christmas Adventure.

Soup Spoons

I was going to talk about how soup spoons are seemingly becoming obsolete, which makes me sad. But, I just don't have the energy.

Instead I want to show you a neat picture connected to an album that I sort of forgot about within the last two years, and luckily rediscovered today.

Rediscovered, and listened to it in its entirety, Twice, with some songs played on repeat a few times.

Modest Mouse+Bluegrass+pancakes=a Lovely Friday. I actually didn't have pancakes.

New Years Resolution: 2010

To tell you the truth I absolutely hate New Years Resolutions, and gave them up years ago. This is quite possibly the only resolution I have kept in all of my 26 New Years. However this blog post has nothing to do with me and A. weight loss, B. giving up vices (it's not happening, I love coffee and wine much to much) or C. being an overall better person. On a side note, I actually do strive for "C" daily, but refuse to label it a resolution. That would just be damning my good efforts.

This year, rather than making a personal new years resolution I have coerced Burton into one. Yes, Burton my dog, the loving and kind border collie who brings happiness and joy to everyone he meets. THAT BURTON!

He will be battling the bulge in 2010 in attempts to get back to an appropriate weight.

Exhibit "A"- Burton in his prime, January of 2008.

Exhibit "B": Burton today, a tad bit... erm... uh....plus sized.



In order to help Burton accomplish this lofty task we will be strictly rationing his caloric intake, including cookies (regardless how many times he sits-shakes-high fives-lays down and rolls over). Additionally, my lil bro and I have agreed to each take the dogs for a long walk twice a week, at a minimum. I wish I could just put him on the tread mill. Unfortunately, I tried that with disastrous results... not only did my dog get physically accosted by an inanimate object, but he also will not come within 100 yards of the treadmill when it is operational. I know, how strange. What dog doesn't like the treadmill!? Well-Fat Border Collies for one.

Happy 2010 To You are Yours <3