Roasted Okra

Okra is not one of my favorite vegetables, but I can eat it  

Most people prefer it fried (like my son), but I do not fry foods at home

I had roasted okra at a restaurant here in Dallas called Si tapas

It inspired me to make my own



Fresh Okra



 from Patina Green Home and Market in McKinney

Slice it length wise

Toss with extra virgin olive oil

I used Texas Olive Ranch Roasted Olive Oil 

that I purchased from my friend,

Barbara at White Rock Local Market

sprinkle with sea salt

Yum.

My son even liked them.

Trader Joe's Mushroom Risotto

Trader Giotto's Mushroom Risotto

 

Mushroom Risotto with Parmesan Cheese

 As I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, I have yet to find a Trader Joe's product I do not love!

I was leery of this risotto, I have to admit. 
How can something so finicky to make
(do you watch Hell's Kitchen?)
taste good prepared frozen?



Well, let me tell you... it's not as amazing as homemade, but it is actually pretty darn good and alot less hassle.

Directions say to cook frozen, with 2 tablespoons of water for 5 minutes on high heat.

I used 2 tablespoons of white wine. You do have to stand and stir for 5 minutes.

It starts out soupy, and if it starts to get dry, just add more water or wine.

&

keep stirring...

&

 stirring...

...telling yourself that

homemade takes 45 minutes to a hour

of stirring

&

stirring

 &

 stirring 

&

(praying that you do not run out of warm liquid)

Thrift Store Chairs

BEFORE

I posted back in July

about my

Wine Room Project

how I found

these chairs (4) 

for $8.95 each

AFTER

I'm still debating on whether or not to re-cover the chairs.  I like the leopard print, and feel that I won't stress if red wine spills on them. 

I will post more once I get the room cleared out.  I keep putting off the garage sale.  It's just so hot here in Texas!

BHG's Corn & Blueberry Salad



Corn & Blueberry Salad



This is the best summer salad ever

It's very fresh and flavorful

Corn & Blueberry Salad

from Better Homes and Garden

Ingredients

6 fresh sweet corn, husked
1 cup fresh blueberries
1 cucumber, sliced
1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped*
2 tablespoons lime juice
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon honey
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

Directions

1. In Dutch oven bring salted water to boiling.
2. Add corn. Cook, covered, 5 minutes, or until tender. When cool enough to handle, cut corn from cobs.
3. In a serving bowl combine corn, blueberries, cucumber, red onion, cilantro, and jalapeno.

For the dressing, in screw-top jar combine lime juice, oil, honey, cumin, and 1/2 tsp. salt. Cover; shake well to combine. Add to salad; toss.

Cover and refrigerate overnight (up to 24 hours). Makes 6 to 8 servings.

Trader Joe's Pear Tart

Trader Joe's Pear Tart

If you have been following me

for any period of time,

you know how much

 I ♥ Trader Joe's

I believe I've mentioned them

about 8 times through the history

of this blog circa 2008

The most exciting post is when my friends and I

drove 1200 round trip

from Texas to Missouri

just to shop @ Trader Joes 

They are finally in Texas. 

YAY!

Right now, the closest one to me

 is in Ft Worth - about a 40 minute drive

  I try to go at least once a month. 

I have yet to try anything that I haven't liked,

so I'm going to start posting 

some of my favorite things.

Today, we have the Pear Tart. 

While I was shopping in the freezer section,

a Trader Joe's employee pointed this out to me.

She said that she had heard it was amazing,

especially with cinnamon sprinkled on top.

I served it on Saturday night to my girlfriends. 

o

m

g

It was so good

especially

with cinnamon on top 

House Party - Hope Springs Movie

Do you like to throw parties?

Do you like to try new products?

Do you like free stuff?

Check out House Party

There is a list of parties by sponsor - just apply to the parties you are interested

If you get picked, they provide an online tool to invite your friends

The idea is to post to Facebook and Twitter so that the word is getting out on the product they are promoting

I've gotten chosen a couple of times

I just received this party pack for the Hope Springs Party

Hope Springs is a movie being released on August 10th

starring Meryl Streep, Tommy Lee Jones, and Steve Carell

The party pack includes 12 small stemless wine glasses that have Hope Springs etched on them

Hope Springs Relationship Guides

Hope Springs IOU Coupon Books

Hope Springs Canvas bags

&

2 free passes to see the movie

The party is scheduled for Friday, 7/27 before the movie comes out

Marcela Valladolid Zucchini-Tortilla Casserole

Marcela Valladolid is one of my favorite

Food Network chefs

Her show is called Mexican Made Easy

I've cooked several of her recipes in the past

like

Jalapeno Roasted Chicken with Chile and Cheese rice

which was absolutely awesome

I modified this recipe slightly

I didn't chop the zucchini - I sliced them into ribbons (not too fine)

I used Monterey Jack cheese, but recommend Pepper Jack for a spicy kick

I also used mexican crema - which is one of my new favorite ingredients

Zucchini-Tortilla Casserole

Ingredients

Vegetable oil, for frying
12 corn tortillas
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 small white onion, chopped
2 large tomatoes, boiled 30 seconds, peeled, and pureed (to yield 2 cups)
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 1/2 cups chopped zucchini (from 3 large zucchini)
1 1/2 cup fresh corn off the cob (from 1 ear)
3 poblano chiles charred, seeded, deveined, and chopped
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
nonstick cooking spray
3 cups shredded Oaxaca cheese, or Monterey Jack
3/4 cup Mexican crema or creme fraiche

Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

In a large heavy saute pan, add enough oil to come 2 inches up the sides of the pan. Heat the oil on medium-high heat. When hot, work in batches and quickly fry the tortillas for about 10 seconds on each side (they should still be pliable). Remove the tortillas from the heat and drain on a paper-towel-lined plate.

In a medium saute pan over medium heat, heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil and add the garlic and onion. Saute until the onion is translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the tomato puree. Cook for 10 minutes and turn the heat off.

In a separate large saute pan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the zucchini and corn. Cook for 2 minutes, and then add the chopped poblano chiles. Add 1/2 cup water to the mixture and cook for 4 more minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

Spray a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with a nonstick cooking spray. Cover the bottom with about 4 tortillas. Add 1/2 cup of the tomato mixture on top of the tortillas. Top with 1 1/2 cups of the zucchini mixture. Add 1 cup of the cheese. Drizzle with 1/4 cup of Mexican crema. Sprinkle the first layer with some salt and pepper. Start on the second layer with the tortillas, then the tomato, zucchini, cheese and Mexican crema. Again sprinkle with some salt and pepper. Repeat for a third time, to finish off a third layer. Place the casserole into the oven until the cheese is melted, 10 to 15 minutes. Serve hot.

House Project - Wine Tasting Room

I live in a 2 bedroom /1 bath duplex

that was built back in the 60's

This is considered a "bonus" room

It was originally a carport that was closed in

It doesn't have AC or heat

so

It's hot in the summer and cold in the winter

As you can see, I've been using it for storage only

Believe it or not, this looks better than before

The plan is to use this room to store all my entertaining

tools, supplies, junk, dishes, crap, etc

I also want to use it as a wine tasting room

it has a sliding door to the back yard

that I think will be perfect for

Spring/Fall entertaining

Here's the plan:

remove those plastic containers

(gearing up for a garage sale)

**sigh**

find a huge rug to cover the lovely gold tile

hang some art on the walls

organize the shelves that showcase my fabulous stuff

I found 4 of these chairs at a thrift store

for only $8.95 each

They are in the process of being transformed

(ok, painted black)

I found this table at another thrift store

for $75

The chairs do not really match

but I think it'll go

with the rustic feel

I'm trying to create

So, stay tuned.. I will post as I make progress

Blue Sparkling Wine

I've been dying to serve this drink for a long time

July 4th was the most appropriate time

Just mix blue curacao with sparkling champagne

Cherry Pink Lemonade Cupcakes

I woke up on July 4th craving Strawberry Cupcakes

I put a pork shoulder in the oven to slow cook

Called a friend inviting her and her family over

for a last minute get together

Headed to the store for a few last minutes items

& 

look what I found ?

Pink Lemonade Cake Mix

Way better than Strawberry cupcakes

especially when topped with cherry frosting 

The best summertime treat!

Shallot-Chive Boursin Stuffed Mushrooms

 This is a "re-post" of this recipe from back in May 2010.

It's modified because I am now using this new flavor of boursin cheese!

Shallot Chive Boursin Stuffed Mushrooms

Ingredients

• 1 pkg whole white button mushrooms
• 1/4 stick butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 container shallots-chive boursin cheese (or any flavor)
• 1 cup parmigiano reggiano
• 3/4 cup italian bread crumbs
• 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
• 4-6 tablespoons olive oil

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees
2. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray or line with foil
3. Clean mushrooms & remove stems
4. In a small bowl, mix melted butter and garlic powder together
5. Brush the mushrooms with the butter mixture
6. In another small bowl, mix the boursin cheese, 1/2 cup parm-reggiano cheese and bread crumbs together
7. With a small spoon, stuff the mushrooms with the cheese mixture
8. Mix the panko bread crumbs, remaining parm-reggiano with olive oil - just enough to coat
9. Place on top of mushrooms
10. Bake until the mushrooms are tender, the filling is heated through, and the mushrooms are golden on top - 30-35 minutes

Note: I buy boursin cheese at Costco. You get 3 boxes for approximately $8.99 versus regular supermarkets carry it for about $5.99 - $7.99 per box.  This cheese is amazing. It goes great in pastas, and also, just by itself with crackers!