GREEN CHILE CHEESEBURGERS!

For my birthday the husband got me this awesome cook book called Cook This, Not That!, by David Zinczenko and Matt Goulding. It is a compilation of some restaurant favorites and how to make them at home on the cheap AND with fewer calories. There will be many recipes that I make out of this book, but this week I wanted something that I have never tried before and wouldn't likely order in a restaurant.

The recipe for the green chile cheeseburger jumped out at me as a good candidate because of the different flavors involved.

Ingredients (recipe makes 4):

1 lb. ground beef

4 oz. roasted green chiles, drained and chopped

4 slices swiss cheese

4 potato buns

4 medium slices red onion

4 thick tomato slices

salt and black pepper to taste

1. Heat a grill, stovetop grill pan, or cast-iron skillet

2. Season the beef with salt and pepper and form into 4 patties (do not overwork the meat)

3. Cook on one side for 3-4 minutes (until nicely charred), then flip and immediately place 1 tablespoon of chiles onto each burger, followed by a slice of cheese. For medium-rare burgers continue to cook for another 3-4 minutes.

4. Remove the burgers, and toast the buns. Place the onion and tomato on the bottom of the buns, then place the burger.

AND ENJOY! The burgers have great flavor and while they seem like they would lack, the mixture of the swiss cheese and green chiles is SO GOOOOOD and I will definitely be making them again--- actually I will be making them again tonight for dinner as I forgot to take a picture last night (well I remembered but by the time I did remember it was way too late...burger in stomach).

The husband is going to try mayo on his tonight- I would never pollute my food with the substance, but I can see that if you like mayo, then it would be good. I also did not use tomato on the burgers because I forgot to buy them, and I actually don't think that the burger needs them. Instead, tonight when I make them I am going to caramelize the onions. My only hesitation in doing so is that it could overpower the other flavors- but it is worth a shot (love me the caramelized onions!).

Give these babies a try- if you are already grilling all you need is the swiss and the chiles so fire up the bar-b!

[PICTURE TO COME TONIGHT-JUST WANTED TO GET THIS SUCKAH UP]

TORTELLINI SOUP

Well this week after all the rain and crazy weather that we had, I decided to make something that makes me feel all warm and cozy inside--- hence the soup choice. It came out of a cookbook that my 6th grade class made where each kid contributed a recipe and then we bound them into little cook books. There are several recipes that I am looking forward to trying out of it.

The tortellini soup is courtesy Missy Waltz- so thanks Missy!

INGREDIENTS:

1 1/4 lbs. italian sausage

1 c. chopped onion

2 cloves minced garlic

5 c. beef broth

8 oz. tomato sauce

1/2 tsp. basil

1/2 c. water

1/2 c. dry red wine

4 c. chopped tomatoes

1 c. thinly sliced carrots

1/2 tsp. oregano

1 1/2 c. chopped zucchini

8 oz. tortellini

3 tbs. parsley

1 chopped green pepper

1.) Brown the sausage in a pot

2.) Add the rest of the ingredients in the order they are listed.

3.) Simmer uncovered for 30-45 minutes

4.) Skim off any fat

5.) DONE and serve with parmesan cheese

This recipe is SO EASY but it is SO DELISH! I recommend it to everyone. Next time I make it I want to add some spice- maybe use spicy sausage and throw in some black pepper or something.

PS- I know the picture shows a crock-pot but I cooked it in a regular pot- I just kept it warm in this.

Locker Room Journal???

I have some BEEF to discuss with everyone.

What is the deal with locker room etiquette these days??? I mean seriously... there have been multiple things that have happened to me in the past that has made me think this, but earlier today I experienced something that prompted me to address this topic.

As usual, the gym is overrun with the "New Years Resolutioners" all January long. Being an advocate for living a healthy lifestyle, I cope relatively well with the vast influx of people and support their decision to get in shape. There are many nuisances that accompany the over populated gym but I venture to say that one of the most frustrating places to encounter this is in the locker room.

Earlier today I hit the gym around 4 p.m., much later than I would normally go, but duty calls and sometimes things get pushed back. As I was finishing my workout at approximately 5 p.m., it dawned on me that the locker room would be packed as I got ready to go back to work. Not able to do anything about it now, I forged my way into the locker room.

There were about 10 girls in various states of dress (or undress), most getting ready to get their workout on, but a few seemed to be finishing up like me. As I was heading over to my locker I noticed a girl sitting on the bench blocking it. This is not very uncommon considering the locker room is quite small and the lockers are stacked two high, so often you have to politely ask someone to move while they are tying their shoes or trying to get everything settled. This girl was different tho (Herein after defined as "Rude Girl").

As I approached I noticed that she was not sweaty, but she was in workout clothes. Her jacket and gym bag were tossed on her right, while her purse (and its contents) were strewn out to her left; in all blocking at least four lockers. I roll my eyes (to myself of course) and try to ignore the indecency and politely ask her to move her purse. She shoots an annoyed look at me, loudly sighs, and proceeds to barely move her purse so that it is still partially blocking my locker. I smiled tightly and opened my locker anyway.

As I begin to change out of my clothes I notice that Rude Girl is not utilizing the locker room as one would think, to get get changed, but is actually JOURNALING. Appropriate? I think not. As a writer I can sympathize that sometimes ideas hit you and you need to jot them down right away before you forget, but I had the distinct feeling that this was more of a "Dear Diary..." moment.

The journaling is weird, but then Rude Girl proceded to answer her phone loudly and began to carry on a long (AND LOUD) conversation, busily exchanging juicy gossip that no one in the locker room cares about or wants to hear.

I go shower and when I return, Rude Girl is now off her phone but has gone back to journaling, appearing annoyed whenever she has to move her stuff for other people. I change and get ready as quick as I can and when I leave I notice that Rude Girl has now put away her journal but appears to be texting or something of the sort on her cell phone. I shake my head and leave the gym fuming a bit.

So... now as I write I start to think of other things that people do in locker rooms that REALLY bother me and I would like to propose a few common courtesy rules that I would like to see in place in the gym locker rooms.

1.) No cell phone usage except for necessary quick calls

2.) Keep personal items in minimal space

3.) No journaling and/or miscellaneous activities that can be done anywhere else

4.) No stretching in the locker room- there is space in the gym for that

5.) No prolonged nakedness ( i.e. I do not want to see you standing there naked for 10 minutes while you blowdry your hair)

6.) Be courteous and considerate of others and their personal space

Those are my thoughts- if anyone else agrees- pass on the love. Peace out cupcakes!

Sister's visit

Well I had the wonderful opportunity to spend this past week with my oldest sister. She flew in on Sunday and I just took her to the airport earlier today. Thankfully my work schedule allowed me to take some time off and enjoy the week with her. I was going to post a picture of us together but we had serious picture fail issues when we tried... maybe next time.

Being with her is so easy, and that's partially because we are family, but beyond that we are very good friends. It is so wonderful to spend time with someone who knows you so well and the time spent is so effortless.

My sister recently went thru the hard and unfortunate loss of her beloved miniature dachshund, Margot. She was a sweet and wonderful companion and is dearly missed. Being with my sister and getting to help her grieve was a hard, but rewarding, experience. There are so many ordeals in life which just seem overwhelming in the moment, but there can always be something learned and I try to approach life in that way. That God is never going to give me more than I can handle, and that I can drink in knowledge thru these experiences, is something that I take peace and comfort in.

Love allows you to extend grace and patience even when you feel empty...

PIZZA BURGERS!!!

Week 2 of my New Years Resolution I decided to make a childhood favorite recipe: Pizza Burgers. This is a delicious and easy recipe that can be ready to eat in less than 30 minutes. I have often thought of making them but then for some reason never got around to it, but then my mom gave me an old family cookbook when I saw her over Christmas, and with my sister coming to visit, I decided that it was time to make the nostalgic meal.

INGREDIENTS:

1 lb. lean ground beef

8 hamburger buns

1/2 c. shredded cheddar cheese

1/2 c. shredded mozzarella cheese

1 T. mustard

1 tsp. oregano

1/2 c. ketchup

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Mix all ingredients except for the hamburger buns. Spread mixture on the hamburger bun and place on baking sheet. Bake for about 10-15 minutes, or until the ground beef is cooked. OPTIONAL: add extra shredded cheese to top and return to oven on broil for 1-2 minutes.

I know that it seems like it will just taste like an open faced hamburger, but it doesn't. They are so easy to make, you may as well try it at least once. Enjoy!

Birthday Wishes

I have decided that I like turning 28. I am not going to fight it (like it does any good). I decided that I like the way it sounds - like I am mature and know what I am doing in life. Interestingly enough I feel much the opposite sometimes.

You know those daily calendars where you rip a page off everyday? Well I have one of those ... well had... it was for 2009... I digress... and each page had a daily affirmation. As I tend to not be the most sensitive (I know, you are all shocked at this revelation) most of the affirmations I found cheesy or ridiculous. However, I had an "Aha!" moment (otherwise known as an epiphany I guess, but I find "Aha!" moments much more relatable) as I pondered one of the affirmations.

I do not recall the exact wording but the saying was something like, "I have dreams, and I deserve to have them come true." As I thought about this statement, I saw not only its truth, but I saw that it was time to take action.

Growing up dreams are rainbows, wishing wells, and fairy Godmothers. Always an outside source coming in and rescuing the princess from her mundane reality and transforming it into what she has always wanted. My conclusion was obviously not that one day my fairy Godmother would bibity-bobity-boo my dreams into reality, but that my dreams were merely that- fanciful, absurd fantasies. How foolish of me...

We are accountable for our own future, and if our dreams don't come true we have no one to blame but ourselves. This seems so obvious yet the reality of it eluded me until now. My "Aha!" moment has spurred me on to take steps to reach my dreams; to not let them become stagnant, musty aspirations in the closet.

Take hold of your dreams, know them, and make your own dreams come true.

loss

Confusion sets in

Fear grips

difficult decisions

Impossible choice made

Life taken

Grieving

Large void

Time heals

The heart remembers

Cherished are the memories

Forever held in our hearts

You will be missed Margot... we love you

Pad Thai...

PAD THAI

Ingredients:

8 oz. (SERVES 2) Pad Thai rice noodles (thin, flat linguini-like noodles)
2 eggs (vegans can substitute 1/2 cup soft tofu - see instructions below*)
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 shallot (OR 1/4 cup purple onion), finely chopped
3-4 "heads" of baby bok choy, or other Chinese cabbage, roughly chopped
2 cups bean sprouts
2 green onions, sliced
1/3 cup fresh coriander/cilantro
1/4 cup ground (or well-chopped) peanuts (OR substitute cashews or slivered almonds)
PAD THAI SAUCE:
3/4 Tbsp. tamarind paste (available at Asian/East Indian food stores)
1/4 cup hot water
3+1/2 Tbsp. soy sauce (or gluten-free soy sauce)
1/2 to 2 tsp. chili sauce (to taste), OR 1-2 fresh red chilies, minced
3 Tbsp. brown sugar
OTHER:
3-4 Tbsp. oil for stir-frying
2-3 Tbsp. vegetable or faux chicken stock
lime wedges for serving
Preparation:

1.) Bring a pot of water to a boil and remove from heat. Soak noodles in the hot water for 6-10 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water. Tip: Noodles are ready to drain when they are soft enough to eat, but still firm and a little bit "crunchy". The noodles will finish cooking when they are fried.
2.) Dissolve the tamarind paste in the hot water. Add the other pad thai sauce ingredients and stir well to dissolve the sugar. Add as much or as little chili sauce as you prefer, but don't skimp on the sugar (you need it to balance the sourness of the tarmaind). Reserve.
3.) Place your wok (or large frying pan) over medium-high heat. Add 1-2 Tbsp. oil plus the garlic and shallot. Stir-fry 1 minute to release the fragrance.
Add the bok choy plus the stock. Stir-fry 2 minutes, or until bok choy is bright green and slightly softened.
4.) Push ingredients aside and add 1/2 Tbsp. more oil to the center of the wok/pan. Add the eggs (if using) and stir-fry briefly to scramble them.
5.) Push eggs aside and add a little more oil to the middle of the wok/pan. Now add the drained noodles and 1/3 of the sauce. Stir-fry everything together for 1 minute using 2 utensils and a tossing motion (like tossing a salad).
6.) Add a little more sauce and continue stir-frying in the same way for 1-2 more minutes, or until the noodles begin to soften and become sticky. Reduce heat to medium if noodles begin to stick and burn.
7.) Add the bean sprouts plus the remaining sauce. Stir-fry to incorporate everything together for 1-3 more minutes, or until noodles are done. Noodles are cooked to perfection when they are soft but still deliciously chewy and a little bit sticky.
8.) Remove from heat and taste-test, adding more vegetarian fish sauce or soy sauce if desired for more salt/flavor.
9.) To serve, scoop noodles onto a serving platter. Sprinkle with the green onion, coriander/cilantro, and ground nuts. Add wedges of fresh-cut lime on the side. Serve immediately and ENJOY!. (Thai chili sauce can also be served on the side for those who likes their noodles extra spicy).
If using soft tofu: add it when you add the noodles. It will break up into small bits and be distributed throughout the dish, just as the egg would.

The first Sunday of every month my church does a meal together where we choose a theme and then everyone brings a dish to share. This week is Thai cuisine and in light of my New Year's Resolution I decided I would try my hand at making Pad Thai. I did have some mild reservations at bringing a new dish to share with everyone, but I guess I threw caution to the wind because before I knew it I had quadrupled the recipe and had started the arduous task of chopping and mincing.

I have two main gripes.

The recipe states that for two servings it takes 15 minutes of prep time and 10 minutes of cook time. I do not normally care for foul language but I would like to call their bull sh*t on this one. This recipe took me two and a half hours to complete. I knew that because I was quadrupling the recipe that it would take longer than what the recipe stated, but I was not expecting it to take THAT long. Just note that when making this, especially if you are making it for more than 2 people, that your cook time multiplies.

The second gripe is more my fault than the recipe's fault. As previously stated, I quadrupled the recipe thinking that this would then create eight servings. That being said, I would like to see the size of the two people who this was originally for. As I prepared the noodles, I could not believe the sheer quantity. By the time that I finished adding all the ingredients to the wok, it was impossible to toss the ingredients (as instructed) without some of it being spilled. If I had the chance to do it over again, I would have prepared it in two small batches, rather than one large batch.

However, not all was lost. The recipe lived up to its five star recommendation and the husband has given it two thumbs up. Hope everyone at church likes it too! Speaking of which... I need to go get ready for.

Take care my friends and hopefully I will have some new exploits to talk with you about soon.

Ps... the picture above is MY final product--- can you tell that I'm proud?

Resolutions

Happy New Year my lovelies!

Normally I shun the tradition of the New Years Resolution because, like so many others, I never keep them! This year, I have made one because it's fun and it doesn't seem like work.

I have decided that each week, I am going to try a new recipe! I love cooking but due to a lack of planning I never venture out and I seem (no... not seemingly... actually) to make the same things over and over and over again.

So not only will this force me to try new things, but it will be fun (and the husband will greatly benefit from it... maybe). So stay tuned as I am sure this will be a recipe sometimes for certain disaster.

Tomorrow I attempt shrimp pad thai... to be continued...

OH--- and one other thing before I get called out on it--- I did NOT get this idea from the movie "Julie and Julia"- I haven't even seen the movie (yet- I received it from Netflix yesterday, planning on watching it today).

What resolutions have you made for this year?