But, Seriously....

Sorry I didn't blog much in the past week, ladies.  It was one heck of a week.

I had ice seep into my cellar, build up and crack/freeze pipes.  Then my oil company forgot to deliver oil to me.  Then the pipes froze enough that I couldn't feed water into my boiler.

Which meant I lived like a Pilgrim from Tuesday afternoon through Friday afternoon.  Four days without running water and inconsistent heat was a challenge.  Despite needing to melt snow to bath, to flush the toilet, to cook, etc - I REFUSED to give in and go stay at my parent's or cousin's house.  Stubborn, much?!?!  :-)

Add in a less than lovely (read: craptastic) work week, and a few other unforseen complications, and by Friday afternoon - I wanted to cry into a really large glass of wine.  But I made it!  I have heat, running water and enjoyed a fantastic game night last night.

This week will be better, right? It has to be!

Tuesdays At The Table - Crispy Chorizo Stuffed Jalapeno Poppers

Happy Tuesday!  This weekend (Yes, I'm already looking forward to the weekend), I'm having my friends over for game night.  We meet once a month and all take turns hosting.  This will be the first time that most of them will see my home and since I can't disguise that the bought a money pit - my plan is to impress them with a new appetizer.  This is one that I can't wait to try out on them.

Crispy Chorizo Stuffed Jalapeno Poppers

10 jalapeno peppers (the bigger the better)
10 ounces colby jack or mozzarella cheese
8 ounces cooked hot Mexican chorizo
1 egg
1 cup bread crumbs
Olive oil for frying

Remove stems from the jalapeno peppers and remove innards through the top with a knife and very small spoon (or a corer if you have it).   Stuff each jalapeno with layers of chorizo and cheese.

In a shallow bowl, beat the egg.

Dip the stuffed jalapeno peppers into the egg, then coat with bread crumbs.

In a deep frying pan, add about 1 inch of oil and heat thoroughly.  Fry each breaded jalapeno popper about 3-5 minutes each side, or until golden brown.

What's cooking in your kitchen?

Review Of The Wine Expo

Today I went to the Boston Wine Expo.  What a fun time!  Wine, snacks, wine, girl time, wine, little freebies.  Did I mention WINE?!?!

There were some tried and true wines that I tasted - even though I knew I loved them.  Hello, Barefoot Wine!! I did get exposed to their Moscato Spumonte this time.  Darn, I love those little bubbles!

Then there were some newbies that I'll have to start looking for...

There was Chateau Ste Michelle Riesling.  It runs about $10-$12 a bottle and had a nice mellow fruity taste to it.  I really got a strong taste of pears to it.

Magner's Irish Cider, which came in traditional apple, and then in pear.  Both were yummy, though surprising (at least to me) to find at a wine expo.  A six pack will run you about $10.

Then Schmitt Sohne put out a new Riesling called Funf.  It's light, a bit sweet (though a dry version is out as well) and only runs at $7 a bottle.

Also, of note was Steen Chenin Blanc.  It's a South African wine that was a little green in color and tastes pineapple and citrus-y.  I apologize for not having a pricepoint on this one.

Another new experience for me was ice wine. This one was by Inniskillin, and essentially tasted like a slightly stronger apple cider.  Tasty...but not worth the $95 price tag.

Do you have any wines that I should try too?

Weekend Plans

After a week (fine, five long days) of feeling amazingly gross - I'm finally starting to feel better!  HURRAY!!  I hope none of you get this stomach flu.  It isn't pretty...

To celebrate feeling better, I'm thinking I might get a manicure on Saturday.  Not just any manicure, but an OPI Axxium manicure.  Have you heard of it? We all love OPI, right?!?!  Well, their gel manicures are so much more fabulous.  They DON'T chip!!!  Like...EVER!! (Almost!)  I got my first gel manicure right before Christmas and despite running around, shoveling, washing countless dishes, typing all day, and generally being rough on my hands - this stuff is still holding on for dear life.

Sure, the nail growth shows.  But, dang, I LOVE my manicure still.

And on Sunday I get to go here!  So excited!! A few sips of wine, a little shopping and some silliness with three fabulous ladies.  :-)

I'm sure that I'll have a few new wines to rave about after being there!

What are you planning this weekend?

Update On Meadow

Thanks to everyone that left concerned comments and emailed me to ask about Meadow.  Following Saturday's "Oreo incident", I'm pretty sure that I don't want to see those yummy cookies for a while.

Long story short, Meadow is absolutely fine.

She was force fed hydrogen peroxide multiple times and has an iron stomach.  No pukies...quite unlike her mom...who is STILL dealing with an upset tummy.

Tuesdays At The Table - Peanut Butter Rice Crispy Treats

Happy Tuesday, ladies!  Did everyone have Monday off?  I hope so - almost everyone I've come across stayed up late to watch the Golden Globes!

Ladies, I'm going to be honest...I'm cheating this week.  Instead of a new recipe, I'm sharing (or re-sharing) my favorite rice crispy treat recipe.  It was the first recipe I ever shared - so a good portion of you have never seen it.  Plus, I'm sick and just thinking about food at the moment brings on a new wave of nausea.

Peanut Butter Rice Crispy Treats

1 package Butterscotch chips (11.75 oz, I believe)
1 heaping cup of Peanut Butter (your choice!)
6 cups Rice Crispies

In a microwave safe bowl, slowly melt your butterscotch chips. Once nice and melted (no bumps), mix in your peanut butter.

Then slowly add your rice crispies. Your last addition will mean a little bit of a work out.  Turn out into a lightly greased 9x11 pan and refrigerate for an hour or until set.

Cut into bars and enjoy!

*Note: While you may be tempted to use low-fat peanut butter... I advise against it. The consistency changes. Use the good stuff and ENJOY!*

What's cooking in your kitchen?

The Oreo Incident

We're in the midst of what I'm already calling the Oreo incident. 

I'm waiting patiently (kinda) for Meadow to puke.  You see, Meadow is a stress eater.  She HATES car rides.  And, unfortunately, her life includes a fair share of car rides right now. 

The little bugger somehow shimmied out of her car harness, found the package of peanut butter Oreos that I not only forgot to bring into the house - but totally forgot I bought as well, and ate 2/3 of the package before I smelled peanut butter and had a chance to pull the car over.

So, Meadow has been force fed about a teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide.  That is SUPPOSED to make her puke. 

No puking yet...and I'm guessing...no sleep for me tonight.

Tuesdays At The Table - Spinach Ravioli

Happy Tuesday, ladies!  I hope all of you in the south got a snow day and a little fun outside playing.  :-)  The storm is heading this way - and I'm hoping for a snow day too.

This week I'm sharing my spinach ravioli.  I had them for dinner.  So good!

Spinach Ravioli

2 c. sifted all-purpose flour
3 eggs
3/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. oil
Lukewarm water

Sift flour into bowl; make a well in center. Add eggs, salt, oil and 3 tablespoons water; mix well and form smooth dough ball. A little more water may be needed for proper consistency. Put ball into bowl; cover and let stand 10 minutes.

Divide dough into 2 portions; place 1 on well-floured board and roll with well-floured rolling pin until dough frequently and gently stretch with fingertips. Cut into strips 2-inches wide with knife (or do circles with a small cookie cutter). Place 1 teaspoon spinach filling at 2-inch intervals on one strip. Lay second strip of dough over filling. With fingers gently press around each mound to seal in filling. Cut between mounds with knife. Cook in boiling water 15 minutes. Heat spaghetti sauce of choice; add ravioli, tossing gently to coat them with sauce.

Spinach Filling:

1 cup ricotta
1 egg yolk
10 oz pkg frozen spinach, drained and thawed or 1 1/2 cups fresh, cooked
4 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon cracked black pepper

Combine ingredients to make filling.

What's cooking in your kitchen?

"Sock" It To Me

I'm working on these puppies...  Someday, they WILL be socks.  :-)

Through the holidays, Kirstren declared that she'd be knitting her first pair of socks, come January.  And now that time has arrived, and like a good little follower (heeheehee), I joined in.  More pics to follow as the project progresses.  :-)

Are you working on any craft projects?  Have any sock knitting words of wisdom for us?

Tuesdays At The Table - Inside Out Turkey Burgers

Happy Tuesday, ladies!  It's back to work I go...and I'm just not feeling it.  I'm going.  But I'm not happy.  Maybe in a day or two I'll be happier to be in the office.

This week I'm sharing a recipe I originally saw on Rachel Ray, but I've changed it so much that it doesn't resemble her recipe anymore...except the basic concept.  I love a good turkey burger!

Inside Out Turker Burgers

1/2 cup Sauted onions
1½-2 lbs. ground turkey
Salt/pepper
2 t. brown mustard
1/4 cup BBQ sauce
1/4 cup shredded cheese

Season meat with salt and pepper and add mustard, mix well. Divide into 4 equal parts. Form patty and make well in the middle. Fill with onions, BBQ sauce and and 1 T. of cheese. Form burger around filling. Drizzle oil in skillet and add burgers. Cook 2 minutes on each side on medium high. Reduce heat to medium low and cook burgers 7-8 minutes longer, turning occasionally. Do not press down on burger during cooking.


What's cooking in your kitchen?

New Years Resolutions

Happy New Year!! 

I'm going to tell you a secret - I HATE making New Year's resolutions.  Somehow, I feel compelled to make the same resolutions every year. 

I'll work less.
I'll drink more water.
I'll actually go on vacation.
I'll give to charity; do all sorts of fun stuff; cut out the stress in my life.

None of that actually happens.  Fine.  I drink more water...but everything else is vastly unsuccessful.

I don't think I'm going to make any New Years resolutions this year.

How about you?