Pasta, Whiners, Vampires and Jesus

What more could you want from a post? Finally. I am back to doing this. I was afraid it would be another in a long line of half-ass projects I start but never complete. Not yet, at least. I am not ready to add it to my Charleston houses on the Battery cross-stitch, my knitting (bought some stuff, never learned), scrapbooking (have made very slow progress), sewing (not totally my fault, I gave back a borrowed sewing machine, thanks Mom, and have yet to learn on my new one so I guess my fault, damn), and that is all I can think of right now. Give me an hour in my "office" and I'll bet I can come up with more. This time I have good friends giving a heaping dose of "Get off your ass!" so here we are.

Lots to catch up on, but first a simple, yummy recipe for my friend who gave me the "Get off your ass and blog!" nudge today. Mexican Lasagna. This actually came from the best next-door neighbor ever.

1 jar spaghetti sauce (although if you like it saucy, and you know who you are, use 1 1/2 jars)

1 lb ground beef (or you could use ground turkey or ground chicken)

1 can whole kernel corn, drained

4 1/2 tsp chili powder

6 (8 1/2 inch) flour tortillas or the no-need to cook lasagna noodles in a box

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

1 can black beans

1 can pinto beans (optional, or you totally could just use different beans and leave out the meat for a veggie version. On that note, if you are a huge veggie fan, you could add a can of diced tomatoes or any other veg that strikes your fancy.)

1 can of refried beans (if you use these, then I would recommend adding them as an additional layer between the noodles and sauce mixture.)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Set aside 1 cup of pasta sauce. Brown meat, then drain. Stir in remaining pasta sauce, corn, chili powder and beans.

Spread 1/2 cup of pasta sauce in the bottom of a 13x9 pan. Put down the tortilla shells or pasta noodles, but not too harsh. Heh. Layer half the sauce/meat/veg mixture then 1/3 of the cheese. More noodles, then the rest of the sauce/meat/veg mixture, another layer of cheese, another of noodles, the remaining 1/2 cup of sauce (or more if you have it). Bake for 30 minutes then top with remaining cheese and bake another 10 minutes or until sauce is bubbly and cheese is melted.

Enjoy!

Ok, since I last posted I have read this:

So I was warned that this was not a feel good book. In fact those who recommended it to me said that pretty much everyone in the book is miserable but it was good so I should read it anyway. SPOILER! Stop reading RIGHT NOW if you do not want to know stuff that happens even though I am not going into too much detail. This book broke both of my rules on books - so something bad happens to a kid and a dog. I begrudgingly admit that both were sort of central to the characters, but c'mon. The best part of this book was the unexpected motivation it gave me to get off my butt and do some stuff. Almost all of the characters in the book were whiny little babies about their situation but no one ever did anything about it. Hate your job? Start looking for another one! Even if it takes a while, at least you can say you are doing something about it! So instead of sitting around bitching and moaning about stuff I want to change, I have made small changes here and there and feel pretty good about it. There is only so much one can do with a toddler and a baby, so small changes are good.

and this:

Ok, I love Meg Cabot. Her adult fiction and young adult fiction. But this one? I am wondering if she had some sort of you-have-to-write-a-vampire-novel clause in her contract. The main character was just meh. And she was a crap dog owner. A couple of the supporting characters were good but overall not her best work. I will keep reading her as long as she does not do a sequel to this one.

and am currently re-reading this:

This is by far one of the funniest books I have ever read. Some may be all "oh no! That is sacrilegious!" and to them I say "Have you read it?" To which most would reply "No." Then I would say "Well, my Momz was raised Baptist and is still very much the Christian and she read it and enjoyed it, so there!" And I would probably stick my tongue out Nellie Olson style. The only bad part about this book, and it is not even bad at all, is that it makes me want to put down the other books I have in line to be read and read his other books. And put aside everything I need to do and become a famous author so I can make lots of people laugh, but I will wait since I have Bill Bryson's "At Home" and am doing my one classic novel a month with "Jane Eyre." So I probably should be off to do that. Maybe something funny will happen to Jane? At least it will in my head.

Days 4 & 5 of 12 Days of Christmas Cookies - Fudgy BonBons and PB&J Bars

So my internet was down from yesterday morning thru late this afternoon. Therefore you get two cookie recipes!

The first is Fudgy Bonbons. I got this one from a Pillsbury cookbook. It originally came from a lady named Mary Anne Tyndall who was Pillsbury's grand prize winner in their 1994 contest. And because of the glory of all things on the internet, I do not have to type it up! (although if the link does not work, let me know and I will post it)

http://http//www.pillsbury.com/recipes/fudgy-bonbons/96997a31-793f-4411-b43e-e8b154de46c1/

I do not do the drizzle over the cookies because I just don't want to. Instead I take a shaker of powdered sugar and lightly dust the cookies. I find they look more festive.

Now your healthy meal: Filet with Merlot Sauce. A bit on the fancy side but super easy if you know how to cook a steak. And because I want to make my life easy tonight here is the link:

http://http//www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Filet-Mignon-with-Merlot-Sauce-5653

I only cook this at Christmas or for my birthday so it is served with either mashed potatoes or twice-baked potatoes. To keep with the healthy theme though, serve it up with a salad and maybe some sauteed green beans.

Yesterday was a day to run around. And around. And around. Luckily I had my momz to chauffeur me while my Christmas/Birthday presents were being installed on my car. I am seriously going to put bows on my tires Christmas Eve and make the kids go to the driveway to see what Santa brought Mommy. Or maybe just the one new car bow and have four hangy-down bits with arrows pointing to the tires. Yeah, that's it. So I am going into the grocery store to pick up five things when the garage calls to tell me the car is ready. Cool, I only a few things then I can pick up the car! Of course when I go into Harris Teeter they are having another free Holiday Wine Tasting!!!! FREE WINE!!! AGAIN!!! And of course I do not have time to hang out. Blast.

The cookie recipe for today is from Ina Garten. Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars. I came across this one while flipping thru a cookbook at the library. It has that lovely salty/sweet combination and I believe I used blackberry jam instead of raspberry although I bet any jam would be good. I just picked up a jar of Marionberry jam yesterday so now it knows its purpose. Here is the link:

http://http//www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/peanut-butter-and-jelly-bars-recipe/index.html

For your healthy dinner I am going to take the easy way out tonight because I am just that tired and I need to finish a book that is already overdue at the 'brary and it is late and I think I still have laundry in the wash. . . . . . . . . Yes, I do. Frick. Ok, so before you make or eat the PB&J bars have this for dinner: Baked salmon with this marinade:

The marinade does have a bit of heat from the red pepper flakes but is sooooo tasty. I get it at either Harris Teeter or Fresh Market. Serve it up with some steamed broccoli!

Ok, there is a lot going on in the news lately, something about Wikileaks and some dude who does not mind spreading secrets but wants his house-arrest location kept underwraps and then there is something about taxes and politics. I really would like to know what is going on but it is hard to listen to the news in the morning with two kids all up in my grill while I try to guzzle a vat of coffee to keep up with them. The one thing I did learn from the Today Show this week is that Teva and someone else made a Teva stiletto. Four-inch high sandals. And they can be yours for the low, low price of $330.00.

http://http//www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/fashion/2010/11/30/2010-11-30_teva_stiletto_heels_have_velcro_straps_teva_sole_shoes_have_fourinch_heel_retail.html

I also learned that some guys will think that a wrapped tampon can look like a Christmas treat:

http://http//www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/40606754#40606754 or try this one:

http://http//www.nbc.com/news-sports/today-show/meredith-hoda-willie-geist-try-alcohol-whipped-cream/

If you watch this video, the bit I am talking about is about 7 minutes in and if you let the video load, you can fast forward to the Bobbie Thomas section.

Hanger Steak Fail!

So I tried this recipe for Pan-Grilled Beer Marinated Hanger Steak: http://http//www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/photo/Pan-Grilled-Beer-Marinated-Hanger-Steak-236873. The marinade was good even if I did not have a couple of the ingredients. I think I would try a different cut of meat next time. Also, when I put it in the very hot pan my kitchen filled with smoke. We were so afraid the smoke detectors would go off (not the first that has happened during one of my recipe experiments) and freak out the dogs and wake the kids so we froze our asses off with the door open. Coincidentally, a neighbor told me that there were 12 deer in my yard at the same time we were airing out the steak kitchen. Do deer like steak? Is that not a bit ambitious of them?


What I learned from the Today show: if you need to pick up holiday stencil (or anything else stringy) but duct tape on the end of a paint roller and go to town. And playdough (is that one word) for broken glass. They said even the kids can do the duct tape on a paint roller thing but I have a feeling Luke would run around trying to get dog hair off the dogs. Pass. This was kind of a lame "what I learned from the Today show," I know, but tomorrow is another [To]day! (I cannot believe I just typed that.)


I finished reading "Good Enough to Eat" by Stacey Ballis:

Here is the link: http://http//search.barnesandnoble.com/Good-Enough-to-Eat/Stacey-Ballis/e/9780425229637/?itm=2&USRI=stacey+ballis

I really enjoyed it. It does fall directly into the category of chick lit though which is perfect for my current condition. There were good supporting characters and touch of mystery and I liked the ending. As a bonus, there are recipes in the back of the book. The author is a good friend of one of my personal heroes, Jen Lancaster, so initially I checked it out solely based on her recommendation. After reading this one, I will read more by this author.

I have added more pirate names to my list: the pirate with highlights and the pirate who failed at hanger steak.

"Girl, don't make me take off my earrings!" (and taco pie)

Warning: parts of this post might be a little on the bummer side.

Oh Niecy Nash. You have inspired me more than you know. I just found out that she left "Clean House" and am in the middle of watching the last episode. I have a feeling that people either love Niecy or would rather watch "Aliens Invaded My Uterus and Now I Am Having a E.T. Baby," however I am in the first category. Besides the above quote (which I plan on using with my kids) watching "Clean House" was one of the things that helped me and, hopefully, my sister get through the MOUTAINS of stuff that my Dad left us.

Time after time, the show would feature people who were unwilling to get rid of stuff mainly because it belonged to a loved one who passed away. Niecy would always tell them "just because you are getting rid of [usually horrible ugly piece of furniture] does not mean you are getting rid of the memory of that person." Truer words were never spoken and helped me sell, donate and give away more stuff than you can imagine. My Dad loved collecting antiques from Europe and the U.S. with plans of opening an antique store when he retired. He had a four bedroom house filled with cool and unique items that overwhelmed me and sis. Actually "overwhelmed" seems a bit of an understatement considering at the time I lived in a two bedroom apartment and she lived in a house with two roomies that the Keebler Elves would have been all "this place is tiny!!!" We are actually still getting rid of stuff 5 years later. I decided that I would keep items that either reminded me of my childhood or were just very cool. Not all of it is practical (giving sideways dirty look to large carousel horse) but what can you do.

Also, every time I watch the show I want to get rid of more stuff and clean my house. So I would like to thank Niecy and her Clean House crew for their motivation, inspiration and . . . something else with an "ation."

And Taco Pie was for dinner tonight. Served with refried beans and salad. I think it may take the place of Mexican Lasagna as the go to Mexican dish in this house.

Taco Pie (adapted from http://http//www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/impossibly-easy-taco-pie/cad8267c-2cb0-4dc2-b6e7-9c57a9575430?WT.mc_id=taf_recipe_BC)

1 lb ground beef (or turkey or chicken) browned, then drain

1 onion chopped up (I cooked the meat with onion powder because I think onions are shifty)

1 package taco seasoning

1 can black beans (drained)

1 can corn (drained)

1 1/4 cup of milk

3 eggs

3/4 cup Bisquick

Shredded cheese (I used a cheddar blend)

Salsa

Taco sauce

Sour Cream

Preheat oven to 400. Cook meat with sprinkle of onion powder (or whatever seasoning you like, I will probably at a bit of chipotle to the next batch). Drain. Return to pan and mix with package of taco seasoning, some taco sauce and salsa (your favorite variety). I did not measure so just use your best judgment. Put in greased casserole dish. Spread on layer of beans, then corn. Mix up the eggs, milk and Bisquick in a bowl then pour over top of meat/beans/corn. Bake for 25 mintues then check to see if the middle is set and toothpick (or knife) comes out clean. I had to cook mine for another 15 minutes. Then sprinkle on some cheese and cook for 5 or 10 more minutes. I turned the broiler on at this point because I love a bubbly cheese top and broil until a lovely brown color.

Serve with salsa, sour cream, taco sauce. Pretty it up with chopped parsley or, if you are a crazy person, chopped cilantro. The reviews of the recipe give a lot of other options as well.

I also may try it with crushed tortilla chips on top. Enjoy!!