Chopstix for Dummies

Have y'all seen this before?

I hadn't until I went to my first birthday lunch this month @ Pei Wei.

We were talking about chopstix vs forks

(Confession - I'm a little clumsy with chopstix)

One of the girls pulled this out of her purse stating that this is how she is teaching her 4 year old daughter to use chopstix

So, I used them during lunch

I wasn't ashamed or embarrassed

It must have made an impression (I had actually forgotten the whole thing) 

because another friend brought me my very own yesterday!

See, it's never too late to conquer a fear!

La Duni Latin Cafe

I cannot wait to check this restaurant out!

Check out their menu

It looks fabulous-o!

If you are local & you've tried it, I'd love to hear from you!

8 19 days to go

Pepperoni Lasagna

Ingredients

2 lbs italian sausage (I use spicy)

1/2 white onion - chopped

1- 32oz jar of spaghetti sauce

1 Tbsp brown sugar

2 1/2 cups grated cheddar cheese

3 cups grated mozzarella cheese

9-12 no boil lasagna noodles

1 pkg large pepperoni slices

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Place pepperoni in a skillet - cook for about 2 minutes - until heated through.  Place on a plate with a paper towel absorb the grease.

Brown sausage and onion.  Drain.  Stir in brown sugar and spaghetti sauce. 

Spread about 1/2 cup of the meat sauce in a greased 13X9 pan.

Layer starting with the noodles, then pepperoni, meat sauce and cheeses.

You should have about 3 layers.  Top with remaining cheeses.

Cook for 30 minutes or until hot.

Serves 10-12.

Wine Snob Confession #6

I bought this wine at Sprouts

It was on sale 2 for $10

It actually isn't bad!

Oscar Mini Party

I had my neighbors over to watch the Oscars

I had this bottle of bubbly -

and

couldn't wait to try it

I totally recommend it.

Not too sweet - not too dry

and

It's under $15.00 

I found the party hats on sale at Pier 1!

I used this instead of popcorn

What a hit!

I also served chili in biscuit bowls, potato muffins, and guinness cupcakes.

Guinness Cupcakes

Just in time for St Pat's Day

I found this recipe 

on JennyMac's "let's have a cocktail" blog

They are delicious!

 Next time, I'm going to try them with chocolate ganache frosting!

Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas

After a lot of trial and error, I have put together my own

sour cream chicken enchilada recipe 

it's pretty simple

Ingredients

1 rotisserie chicken - shredded

1/2 white onion - chopped

1 - 28 oz can - green chili enchilada sauce

1 - 8oz - sour cream

1 - 4oz can - chopped green chilis - drained

1 cup sharp cheddar cheese

1 cup monterrey jack cheese

10 corn tortillas

Directions

 Preheat oven 375 degrees. 

In a bowl, mix together chicken,  4 oz sour cream, 1/4 can enchilada sauce,  1/2 of the onion, 1/2 of the green chilis, 1/4 cup cheddar and 1/4 cup monterrey jack

Warm corn tortillas in the microwave - doing 5 a time - between 2 damp paper towels - about 35 seconds.

Spray a 13X9 pan with cooking spray, and pour a small amount of enchilada sauce on the bottom of the pan.

Put about 1/4 cup of the mixture on the corn tortilla,  sprinkle on some cheese, then rollup and place seam down in the pan.

Whisk the rest of the enchilada sauce with the rest of the sour cream.

Pour on top of the enchiladas

Top with the remaining green chilis and onions

Top with the remaining cheese

I just happened to have some pickled jalapenos, so I threw some on top as well

Bake for 25 minutes - uncovered

Note: I used Hatch Green Chili Enchilada sauce - you can use red or green, I just prefer the green chili sauce with chicken.  Also, use your cheese of preference.  I put more of the cheddar cheese with the filling - then used monterrey jack on top

I used lots of cheese
I do not like enchiladas made with flour tortillas - they come out too soft and gooey.
I use the chicken filling sparingly. You may have some filling left over - you can freeze it for future use - or make another small batch.

Food Network Favs

My top favs

are

Throwdown with Bobby Flay

& 

Guy Fieri's Diners, Drive-In's & Dives

(Triple D)

I still love to watch Barefoot Contessa, Paula Deen, & Giada. 

30 Minute Meals was the very first show I watched on the Food Network back in 2003.  I still want to make this scallops with vermouth recipe

Sadly, I think Rachael Ray is a little over extended these days. 

Whenever I watch 30 Minute  lately,  Rach always sounds so hurried and tired.  I think bossy says it better on her blog.

Check it out here.

I've always like the traveling  food shows - like $40 a day and Road Tasted with the Deen Brothers.

(which raises the question - where are you Jamie and Bobby Deen?  I ♥ ya'll)

Here are some new shows I've recently started watching

5 Ingredients with Claire Robinson 

What Would Brian Boitano Make? with Brian Boitano, of course

Mexican Made Easy with Marcela Valladolid

(This is my #1 top fav-O-rite show)

Check out this recipe to see why!

The first person that I watched on TV

that most inspired me

 to get in the kitchen about 10 years ago

is

Nigella Lawson

I so wanted to be her...

 ...and I still do