Cranberry Feta Pinwheels

Cranberry Feta Pinwheels

I found these on Pinterest

(my new favorite site)

They were "pinned" from food.com

Ingredients

• 1 6oz package dried cranberries
• 1 container of cream cheese spread
• 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped green onions
• 4 large spinach flour tortillas

Directions

• Combine all ingredients except tortillas, mix well
• Divide and spread mixture evenly amough 4 tortillas
• Roll up tightly, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate at least one hour
• Cut into slices

These are amazing.  They are so easy to make.  Perfect for Christmas entertaining. So very festive.

Go Go Gadget

I saw this

usb outlet 

on page 52

of the November issue

of

Real Simple Magazine

I want one for every room in my house!

Trader Joe's in Texas

It was a year ago last weekend,

when Misty, Melissa and I

took a road trip to Chesterfield, MO

(600 miles one way)

 to the closest Trader Joe's to Dallas

It was about 6 months ago

as we were planning our next road trip -

would it be Nebraska or New Mexico

 that we heard that we were

getting a

Trader Joe's

here in

 Dallas/Ft Worth 

Then, nada, nothing... no word

about Dallas...

well, just rumors...

like how

Lake Highlands was petitioning

for them to put their store in a newly developed area

&

how

the old Whole Foods location

on Lower Greenville would be perfect

now
there are rumors of locations

@

Knox/Henderson

or

Walnut and Central

again..

all RUMORS

Trader Joe's is being very tight lipped

I think they've reported my emails as SPAM

(hee hee just kidding)

Looks like they found space in Ft Worth

 (I love Ft Worth)

&
 now

I'm reading about space in Houston

o

m

g

It's November, so no Trader Joe's in Dallas

this year

but

if it does hits Houston first,

you can bet

I will be there

so my Houstonian friends

(Monica, Mona, Kim)

gte ready for a visit

and

can

Melissa and Misty stay too?

Williams Sonoma Technique Classes - November Schedule

Call your local Williams Sonoma store to determine correct date/times.
I usually go to the store located in Plano @ Preston Rd and Park. They hold theirs on Saturdays.


THE PERFECT TURKEY
November 6 & 7
Let us be your guide to preparing the perfect turkey, the star of the Thanksgiving table-moist, flavorful and a showstopper! We'll discuss how to select a turkey, what brining is and does, the secrets to roasting and tips for carving like a pro. Whether you'll be roasting your first holiday bird or your twentieth, join us for this essential class before it's time to turn on the oven!

THANKSGIVING SIDES & STUFFINGS
November 13 & 14
While the turkey may take center stage, for many of us, it's the side dishes that steal the show. Learn the basics of preparing potatoes, savory stuffings and other impressive sides that will make your Thanksgiving table both bountiful and memorable.

WILLIAMS-SONOMA ALL-STAR THANKSGIVING
November 20 & 21
Thanksgiving is less than a week away-but it's not too late to add an amazing side dish to your menu or discover some time-saving tips. This final Thanksgiving technique class features our favorite recipes plus last-minute tips to make your holiday truly special and stress-free.

Happy Halloween!

These plates make me smile! 

Stuffed Jalapeno Peppers

I first used Pioneer Women's recipe to make these

I have since put my own twist on them

Ingredients

12 jalapenos

6 pieces thin bacon

1 ounce block cream cheese - softened

1 tsp ground cumin

1/2 tsp - 1 tsp cayenne pepper

1 tsp seasoned salt (I use Lawry's)

1 cup corn (fresh or frozen)

1/2 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese

1/2 cup red pepper jelly

Directions

1. In a bowl, combine cream cheese with the cumin, cayenne pepper, seasoned salt, corn, and grated cheddar cheese.  Set aside.
2. Slice jalapeno peppers in half lengthwise. With a spoon, remove the seeds and membranes. (This helps tame the heat of the peppers)
3. Cut the bacon in half.  You should have a enough bacon for each pepper.
4. Stuff the jalapenos with the cream cheese mixture.
5. Wrap the bacon slices around each half.
6. Brush the top of the bacon with the red pepper jelly (chutney or apricot jelly work too)

What the Fig!!??

Have you ever been to someones's house

and

they served the most awesome dish

that seemed so easy to make?

This recently happened to me

I had the

most awesome figs

with

 proscuitto & parmesan cheese

they were figilicious!

Well, I should have asked for the recipe

before attempting this on my own

Apparently, it is recommended

to put the parmesan cheese

on the figs FIRST

then

wrap the figs and cheese

with the proscuitto

DUH! 

Smoked Gouda Pimento Cheese

This is one of my favorites

It is inspired

by the

 smoked gouda pimento cheese

we buy here locally (D/FW)

at Market Street

It took 2 test kitchen attempts

but I think this recipe is a winner!

It isn't the exact recipe,

because I didn't attempt

to create an exact replica.

The smoked gouda creates an

illusion that bacon is in the recipe

Let me know if you make it!

I'd love to hear how you create your own twist to it.

Ingredients:
1 cup mayo (I used Hellman's)
12 ounces light sour cream
1/3 cup red onion (finely chopped)
1/2 cup smoked gouda (thickly grated)
1/2 cup gouda (thickly grated)
1/2 cup havarti (thickly grated)
1 - 4 ounce jar pimentos (chopped)
1-2 jalapeno peppers (finely chopped) optional

Directions:
Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl. Chill at least a hour before serving.

Serve with blue corn chips, crackers, or sliced baguette.

#TGTaste - Thirsty Girl Twitter Chat with Ghirardelli

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month,

Thirsty Girl

is teaming up with Ghirardelli

for a Twitter Tasting

with their Intense Dark chocolates

#TGTaste Twitter Chat

October 5th

@ 5pm PST/ 7pm CST

I signed up

and

received my chocolates

 in the mail yesterday!

I immediately went to the Ghirardelli website to see their pairing recommendations!

If you are participating in the Twitter Chat on 10/5 (even if you are not participating in the Twitter chat, these chocolates are available at your local market), here are my wine pairing recommendations using wine from WineShop At Home in Napa, CA.

 These wines are sold exclusively from WineShop At Home. You can order directly from the website and have the wines shipped directly to you.

Ghirardelli Intense Dark Evening Dream Chocolate

pair it with Fog Vineyards 2009 Paso Robles Zinfandel

This Fog Vineyards 2009 Paso Robles Zinfandel has aromas of cherry, cranberry and graham cracker with hints of blackberry, violets and grape jelly. The wine has a pretty, dark ruby color. The flavors mirror the aromas quite nicely. Enjoy this wine with burgers on the grill, teriyaki beef, ratatouille or medium cheeses such as cheddar.

Your Price: $22.50

Ghirardelli Intense Dark Twilight Delight

pair it with Talmage 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Central Coast

This Talmage Cellars 2008 Central Coast Cabernet Sauvignon has aromas of cherry, raspberry and cassis with hints of leather, oak and blackberry. The mouthfeel is silky smooth with soft but noticeable tannin. The ripe fruit flavors fill the palate. The medium length finish is smooth and fruity with nice balanced acid. This wine is a perfect addition to a fun evening with family and friends, and it is also available with your personalized label when ordered by the case or half-case.

Your Price: $20.75

Ghirardelli Intense Dark Midnight Reverie

pair it with Broadmoore Estates 2009 California Syrah

This Broadmoore Estates 2009 California Syrah has aromas of cherry, blackberry and caramel with hints of spice and leather. The flavors are sweet and delicious with bright berry notes and light acidity and light tannin. Enjoy this wine with a pasta salad, a spinach pizza, teriyaki beef or medium cheeses such as mild cheddar.

Your Price: $16.00 

Ghirardelli Intense Dark Toffee Interlude

pair with Fleur Bleu 2010 White Bouquet Central Coast

This Fleur Bleu 2010 White Bouquet has subtle aromas of apple and pear with hints of honey and spice. This wine has a weight on the palate not common with white wines. The finish is clean and pleasing. This wine was made for food. Enjoy this wine with fish and chips, pork with apples, Chinese takeout or medium cheeses such as Edam.

Your Price: $17.00


Disclaimer: These wine pairing recommendations are exclusively mine - Sandi Graham and in no way, shape or form do they reflect the views of Thirsty Girl or anyone associated with Thirsty Girl.

Thirsty Girl Does Dallas

Thirsty Girl is partnering with Marilyn Wines. 

Marilyn Wines is celebrating their 25 year anniversary.

They will be at Sigels at 5757 Greenville Ave

on Thursday, Sept 29th

between 5-7pm

Wines to be tasted:

Norma Jeane Merlot 2010

Marilyn Merlot 2009

Marilyn Merlot 2008

 

Hope to see you there!

The Common Table

I just love checking out new restaurants

The Common Table

is on Fairmont Street

in Uptown

It was raining (yay - we need it)

but we couldn't sit outside

Definitely will next time

This is a great Happy Hour place

The Neighbor's Turkey Burger with Mushrooms & Swiss

The Turkey Melt

All their menu items come with a beer or wine suggested pairing

That just rocks!

I can't wait to go back for dinner

so that I can actually

order the recommended beer or wine pairing 

instead of ice tea