Fried Mozzarella Sticks with Marinara Dipping Sauce

 

WHOA!! Where have I been?!?!?! I know... its been a while, almost a month. So... on to the FOOD. The idea for mozzarella sticks came up pretty randomly. I was in the kitchen getting ready to make some grilled pizza (which might I add gets better every time I make it) and my wubby wanted something to go with them. I opened up the freezer and there, staring me in the fac,e was a huge pack of string cheese. Instantly I thought.... FRIED MOZZARELLA STICKS!!! I have never made mozzarella sticks before, but the concept seemed easy. Cheese, breadcrumbs, egg, flour, and oil. It doesn't get more simple than that. So here we go to the awesomeness!

Portobello French Dip

I am going to tell a story. This is a story that involves me and my dislike previous dislike for mushrooms. I don't know what it was or what finally clicked, but I seriously did NOT like mushrooms. Ask my parents... I wouldn't touch dinner if it had mushrooms. I guess I did get better over time... simply picking them out of my food(like a non spoiled brat),but I never liked them. Have I said I didn't like 'em? Then all of a sudden, out of the blue I thought ...what the hell... I'll give it another go. And a like was born. A like? Really? Yes... sadly I am still not in love, but maybe one day. Anyway... why all this talk about mushrooms? Weeelllll... Wubby and I have a friend who really wanted me to blog a vegetarian dish. This friend (Leah) even told us of restaurants in Seattle that she likes to eat at. After talking about it for two days Wubby and I settled on a Portobello mushroom french dip. We found the recipe and off we go!

Puff Pastry and Eggs

 

Breakfast is BIG in our house. I think I could make it three times a day for my Wubby and she would be just fine! For this reason... I am forever looking for new breakfast ideas. That’s why when I got my FOOD NETWORK MAGAZINE (I am just a little excited... can you tell?) I immediately looked for a good recipe. Turns out I didn’t have to look too far as this one was on the cover. Not only does this recipe look awesome... It’s easy peasy lemon breezy (which is a must first thing in the morning.) Take a look…

Stout Corned Beef

I have many fond memories from childhood about corned beef. On Sundays, my Dad used to make my brother and I corned beef and egg tacos (seriously try it)! Every St. Patty's Day he would make corned beef with cabbage, onions, carrots, and potatoes. We would make everything into sandwiches with mustard on rye bread. I honestly CRAVE this now. So... now that I am all grown up and moved out I must keep this meal going. In honor of St. Patty's day, I am going to make a corned beef. This won't be your ordinary corned beef. I am going ultra Irish. Guinness and all... :-)

Curry Chicken Salad Sandwich

Chicken Curry Salad

I love curry.... and I love chicken salad. So I wanted to combine them. I looked around on the internet for a good recipe, but didn't find anything that was perfect. I did however find some great ideas. The recipe makes a huge portion, so it is great for parties or to make on Monday for lunches during the week. A great thing about chicken salad is that it can be COMPLETELY customizable. Want more grapes or no apple? How about celery and shredded carrots? Whatever you want in the salad can be added. Follow your buds! This is how I like my curry chicken salad... I think you will enjoy it just the same!

Spaghetti and Meatballs

A few years back I took a trip to Europe. I loved everywhere I went, but one thing that was absolutely AMAZING was the food in Italy. I mean.... what? My palate was on overload! I went to these itsy-bitsy cafe's where 80% of the restaurant was outside and eat some delicious food. The menu's weren't big and at most places you had a choice of red or white house wine. It was so simplistic... yet soooo good. I have always been a firm believer that you can learn a lot about a culture through their food. So what did I learn? Italians have an intimate relationship with food. It is not so much about who can make the biggest BADDEST dish or use the most fancy ingredients. All the restaurants are making the same food and using their family recipes. It's not so much about being a chef or owning a restaurant, but instead its about a family tradition. Bringing EVERYONE together...through food!

I thought I would take a bit from my trip and use it as inspiration for my next blog. Spaghetti and Meatballs! Who doesn't love it!? Time to dig in... :-)

Chicken Tikka Masala

Indian food. So many people have a fear of Indian food. What many of them don't realize is that a lot of Indian food uses ingredients that everyone has heard of before. I'm not saying that the stories we have all heard are false.... The food can be pungent and its spicy as hell, but if you ask me good food has its side effects. I have known that I wanted to make Indian food for a while, but I couldn't find the right thing. Finally I did. It was a few weeks ago that the Wubbster (my partner) and I decided to get some Indian food from Trader Joes and have a mini feast. Most of it was good, but the Chicken Tikka Masala was the best. Then when her and Marcoco (Marcus for those of you who know him) decided to go to a Bollywood flash mob (oh I am jealous! ) I knew that this was the week. So the adventure started. I must warn you now... The food is spicy and delicious! It is an ethnic rollercoaster that you want to ride again and again.