Photo Credit: Monica Ferrel
Ballpark Beer
Photo Credit: Monica Ferrel
Category: food
Sweet Treats
Photo Credit: Mariah Lucrecia Chapman
Guest Post – Southwest Egg Rolls
I invite you all to check out my latest Guest Post on Recipe Chatter!
Guest Post – Recipe Chatter
I am pleased to share my latest guest blog post with Recipe Chatter. Take a cruise on over to their site to check out my recipe for Weeknight Chicken Broccoli Casserole. Let me know what you think!
Drinks After Work
Work. After nearly 9 months I am back to the grind and to be honest, I missed it quite a bit. The structure. The routine. The responsibility. I have to admit, the social butterfly in me needed to get back into the swing of things & meet new people.
This got me to thinking of what people do after work. For so long we either went straight home to take care of an ailing parent, or our commute left us so tired we sometimes skipped dinner and went straight to bed. Now that we both work so close to home and are only responsible for each other and our rambunctious cat, dinners out and an adult beverage here and there are sounding quite nice!
I see people sharing their pics of after work drinks, whether out at a restaurant or at home. They share their beers, wines & cocktails. Im not a beer drinker. Ive had some in the past but its not a favorite. I dont drink regulary, typically only on occasions & that usually consists of celebratory shots or the occasional cocktail. My daily go-to beverages are water, iced tea or coffee but everyone says the benefits of wine at dinner is something I should consider. So I am considering wine…but where do I start?
Over the years, my hubby and I have tried a few different types. You can probably tell that they weren’t a big hit otherwise they would be a staple in our home and I wouldn’t be asking for your help. See, I need guidance. I want feedback on wines. All types. Whites, reds, rosés…blends, sweets & sparkling.
- What do you like?
- Do you have a brand you love?
- How often do you enjoy a glass or two?
- What made you decide to try wine?
- Do you have a suggestion for a newbie?
I want to know…I want to learn. I want to be the person a year from now who says, ‘Last night I curled up on the sofa with a glass of wine & my hubby.’
Game Day Goodies
Its Superbowl Sunday! Time for the big game and big food. Along with the snacks for the pre-game munchies, I made a 7 pound pork roast. Nothing fancy. Just hearty and delicious, fork tender pork ready for game day finger food…tacos.
I dont typically measure when I season large cuts of meat. I usually eyeball it and this time was no different. I took salt, pepper, dried rosemary, and minced dried onion and added it to a large cup. I mixed it well and used it as a dry rub. I took 2 cartons of low sodium Swanson’s chicken broth and poured it into the bottom of my roasting pan. Bright & early at 7 am, this bad boy was popped into a 500 degree oven for 30 minutes before the temp was dropped to 300 degrees.
As it roasted, I brought out the lighter snacks than I normally put out. Its usually sandwiches, wings & lil smokies but this time I kept it small since its just the two of us. Chips, pretzels, dip, salsa, potato salad & veggies. Still a lot to munch on but not nearly as heavy.
After 7 hours and a house filled with the aroma of mouth watering deliciousness, it was time to tear into this juicy beast. I probably should have taken more pics of the tacos and toppings…but its time to grub so use your imagination.
Hope you are all enjoying food, family & fun today.
Happy Superbowl Sunday from Cappuccino Connected!
3 Quick Weeknight Chicken Dinners
Its time to start thinking of dinner and I am tired of leftovers. I have boneless, skinless chicken breast and want to try something new. Where do I turn for inspiration? Pinterest of course!
The first one I came across is this carb loaded masterpiece from Singing Through The Rain. Loaded chicken & potatoes…I mean come on! Excuse me while I drool.
Another casserole option (notice a pattern here?) is this parmesan chicken bake from My Kitchen Escapades. If your mouth isnt watering, it will be…just look at this deliciousness!
We may have found the winner winner chicken dinner option! OH MY GOODNESS! This recipe is from Pinch Of Yum and they deliver more than a pinch. I may have to make His & Hers trays…not sure I would share.
I dont have quinoa on hand (gasp!) but after reading the recipe, I can swap it out for brown rice to keep the fiber content high and the calories limited to about 400 per serving.
To amp up the veggie percentage, I want to try out these cauliflower tater tots. Dont they look like you can eat loads of them? No? Just me then. Ok…moving on. Well I cant take credit for these. I found these at Farm Fresh To You.
So…what are you making for dinner?
Ore-Ida® Totchos Recipe
I was allowed to participate in an opportunity that included complimentary Ore-Ida® Tater Tots and thought I would share a yummy recipe with you. As a big fan of biscuits and gravy, I thought I would step it up with the tater tots and make Ore-Ida® Totchos & Gravy with bacon.
*DROOL*
Take your tots and either pan fry or bake, whichever you prefer since they are good both ways. In a saucepan, add 2-3 tablespoons butter and 2-3 tablespoons flour. Its the start of a rue so dont worry when it clumps. It thins out as you slowly add the milk…about 1 cup give or take a tablespoon. Season with salt & pepper and stir til it thickens. Pour over the prepared tots and top with crumbled bacon.
*DROOL AGAIN*
There are lots more recipes on the Kraft site but of course mine is your favorite, right? *wink
30 Quick Meals Using Rotisserie Chicken
Its a weeknight, after a long day at work or keeping busy dealing with life, you are tired but its dinnertime. Tired of tearing a leg off the deli chicken and calling it a meal? How about looking like a rockstar using that same chicken? Print this…keep it in a safe place. You are gonna love me for finding this gem from Tablespoon…30 meals you can whip up using a rotisserie chicken!
I stumbled upon this list as I was pinning (go figure!) and I can see myself making many of these delish combos. Unlike other lists, these are hearty yet common dishes with a comfort food kick. Nothing too gourmet so its not intimidating. Looking at some of these, you would think they took hours when they dont take long at all. I mean look at these…mouth watering!
Want a pasta dish? Try the tetrazzini or the ziti. Looking for something more like a casserole? Bake the chicken noodle casserole or the chicken pot pie. How about the quick veggie bake or even the breakfast option frittata? Everyone likes pinwheels…imagine a fun chicken pinwheel meal.
With the last days of 2015 wrapping up quickly, these meals will help ease the stress at meal time. Check out Tablespoon for all the yummy recipes and enjoy!
25 Party Appetizers You Can Make In 20 Minutes
Tis the season to either host or attend holiday parties! The tough part is finding the right recipes to share with your loved ones. There are so many traditional items we tend to expect on our gathering table, but what if we strayed a bit from the norm? What if we decide to try something new to mix it up? With time slipping away, I have found a treasure trove of simple and quick recipes you can add to your table or bring with you as you join your loved ones.
I give all the credit to BuzzFeed for this amazing list. They included 25 recipes you can make in about 20 minutes, often in less time. Let me share a few of my favorites with you.
A unique take on a nut based dip, this red pepper, walnut & tahini dip is mouthwatering! The consistency is hearty and is best (in my opinion) on a heavier chip, pita crisps or toast points.
Another interesting combo is the edamame & avocado dip. Both have great flavor and they blend well. The consistency is much more dense and would best be served with thicker corn chips, pita crisps or toast points much like the tahini.
Now if you seek a sweet option but dont want to succumb to all things pumpkin spice, try the pineapple black bean guacamole. I know you are thinking that is an odd combo…and it is but I have to tell you, its making my mouth water just thinking of scooping some up! Its so good you can put a dollop on your plate as garnish for your meal.
Lastly, a dessert style dip that grabs an honorable mention. Its not from the BuzzFeed list…its actually from The Cookie Rookie and its divine! A skinny caramel apple dip that allows you to indulge without so much guilt! It does pack a few calories so dont dive into a bowl of your own, but you can certainly enjoy a helping with some freshly sliced tart apples. *Drool*
Whether you are hosting or traveling, I hope you all enjoy the holidays at a gathering table filled with love, laughter and delicious food!
Cappuccino Connected 