tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49774767160863671112024-03-06T22:34:07.427-05:00My Retro KitchenAmiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01682300095543726598noreply@blogger.comBlogger316125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4977476716086367111.post-359286277532015452017-10-12T06:44:00.000-04:002017-10-12T06:47:42.665-04:00Seven Layer Greek Dip<div style="text-align: center;">
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Seven Layer Dip- when you hear this name, probably the first recipe you think of is the delicious gooey goodness of refried beans, guacamole, salsa and sour cream topped with all the fixin's. But <i>everyone</i> brings the Mexican version to parties... how about changing it up Mediterranean style next time? Here I layer creamy hummus, bright and zippy Greek yogurt sauce similar to Tzatziki, garden tomatoes, cucumbers, feta cheese and Kalamata olives for a fresh and unexpected spin on a traditional party favorite. This recipe has become a go-to of mine to bring to parties and get-together's with friends. It is ALWAYS a huge hit and the recipe is always requested. In fact I bought this appetizer to a recent neighborhood Recipe and Wine Night party and won 1st Place for best Appetizer! Its great served with fresh pita bread, a veggie tray, crackers or pita chips. And if you happen to have leftovers, roll them inside a pita with some crunchy lettuce for a delicious wrap.<br />
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While you could totally buy a tub of hummus and pre-made Tzatziki at the store, I love making my own for this app. Hummus is one of those recipes that is SO EASY that after making it the first time you will wonder why you ever bought it pre-made at the store. The ingredients are inexpensive, you can easily change the flavors by what you happen to have in your fridge and all you do is literally dump all the ingredients into a food processor or blender, push a button and DONE. Simple as that! I am going to share with you my favorite <a href="http://myretrokitchen.blogspot.com/2012/04/hummus.html" target="_blank">Hummus recipe</a> if you wish to give it a whirl! But either way, store bought or homemade, this Seven Layer Greek Dip is sure to be a huge hit with all your up and coming holiday parties!<br />
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</b> <b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Seven Layer Greek Dip</span></b><br />
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</b> 1/2 English cucumber, quartered and chopped<br />
1 pint cherry tomatoes, quartered<br />
1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled<br />
1/3 cup sliced Kalamata or black olives<br />
3 Tablespoons finely chopped red onion<br />
a few sprigs fresh dill, stems removed<br />
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</b> <b><span style="font-family: inherit;">For the Hummus</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">2 (15 ounce) cans of garbanzo beans (chickpeas), juices from one can reserved</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">1/3 cup tahini</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">1/3 cup lemon juice (roughly the juice of two and half lemons)</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">3-4 cloves garlic</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">1/4 tsp salt</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">1/4 tsp crushed red chili flakes</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">pinch cumin</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Combine in food processor or blender the garbanzo beans, tahini, 1/4 cup lemon juice, garlic, salt, red chili flakes and cumin. Bend until smooth. Taste and add more lemon juice to suit your taster. We prefer it more on the lemony side. It will be quite thick at this point. Slowly add in some of the reserved garbanzo bean juice to thin it out. Blend again. Add more of the juice, blend and taste. Repeat until you reach the right consistency. You won't need all the juice just enough to get it creamy!! The texture should be smooth and creamy and not too thick.</span><br />
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</b> <b>For the Greek Yogurt Sauce</b><br />
1 1/3 cups thick plain Greek yogurt, like Fage<br />
1-2 garlic cloves, finely minced (I love a lot of garlic flavor, so I use 2 cloves)<br />
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil<br />
1/2 teaspoon salt<br />
1 Tablespoon fresh dill, minced<br />
1 Tablespoon fresh parley, minced<br />
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Combine all Greek Yogurt Sauce ingredients in a medium sized bowl and set aside. If you prefer a more mild flavor, you can make this up to a day in advance stored in the fridge. The longer it sits in the fridge, the less "bite" the garlic will have.<br />
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</b> <b>Putting it all Together</b><br />
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On a large platter or 8x8 pan, evenly spread the hummus. Next, careful not to smear together with the hummus, evenly spread the Greek Yogurt Sauce on top of the Hummus creating your second layer. Top with cucumbers, tomatoes, feta cheese, olives, and red onion. Sprinkle minced fresh dill over the top (kitchen scissors work great for snipping dill evenly over the layered dip!)<br />
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Serve immediately with pita bread cut into wedges, fresh veggies, crackers or pita chips.<br />
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<br />Amiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01682300095543726598noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4977476716086367111.post-41928701202830510602017-10-06T07:14:00.000-04:002017-10-06T07:18:05.728-04:00Fridays Feasting with Friends Featuring Erin Fabian<div style="background-color: white; color: #474747; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: center;">
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<b><b><i>"One of the delights of life is eating with friends, second to that is talking about eating. And, for an unsurpassed double whammy, there is talking about eating while you are eating with friends."</i></b></b></div>
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<b><b><i>~Laurie Colwin 'Home Cooking'</i></b></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Erin Fabian</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgskpzMKhU-0vcjI5f28mlW5LVoioP9jnVP2FRHXPmFAmCmVz5y8a_E51_qE-2w-3WQc2Lwz17cs3x9bZksPTmAcwVfZu-iO_5WW51LX9wj28qfGBBTmaZpUVmV5633lCRTlviFKPyU0Ukm/s1600/22279302_10214490503446511_772491871_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="1000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgskpzMKhU-0vcjI5f28mlW5LVoioP9jnVP2FRHXPmFAmCmVz5y8a_E51_qE-2w-3WQc2Lwz17cs3x9bZksPTmAcwVfZu-iO_5WW51LX9wj28qfGBBTmaZpUVmV5633lCRTlviFKPyU0Ukm/s400/22279302_10214490503446511_772491871_o.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br />
</b></span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">Today's guest is a truly special person in my life, and one I am very excited about sharing with all of you. Erin Fabian is a dear friend, fellow educator with <a href="http://bwiofcleveland.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Babywearing International of Cleveland</a> and easily one of the kindest and most compassionate people I have ever, ever met. Has there ever been a time when you've met a person in life and you just <i>know</i> they were put into yours for a specific reason- that is my sweet Erin. What started as a mutual love for teaching others about Babywearing, has grown into a friendship built on faith and fellowship. When I think of Erin my mind wanders to Proverbs 27:17 "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." She is my wonderfully levelheaded friend, my confidant and go-to when I need support and honest advice. She makes me feel stronger when I am near her and helps me to see things more clearly. Plus she is just so darn fun! </span>What a treasure to have in a friend! <span style="font-family: inherit;">So without further ado, I give you Erin. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>What is your occupation?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I am a pharmacist by training but I work for a medical publishing company. I write information for health care professionals on poisonings and overdoses and the use of medications in pregnancy and lactation. So, if you overdose on something, the ER doctor might look up what to do for you in the stuff I write. Or, if you want to take a medicine while pregnant, the doctor or pharmacist may look in the information I write to decide what to tell you.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>What is your favorite thing to cook?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I prefer to bake. But, in general, I like to cook meals that are a part of family traditions or are a part of a meaningful celebration.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVxk-HG7mXq6H0MEaS_SjxgcE9GCqDNbZPOa2bKkj4Sj8hIAV5cb-ICnQErNZMo4lgsW0NKui7bvbD_QBb_Mh9gBCa81SK8QP2RtpyEYxEtgWXfSnw0zAj9tcrpBeJYsFxv8_PeYoFzx31/s1600/Potica.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="756" data-original-width="945" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVxk-HG7mXq6H0MEaS_SjxgcE9GCqDNbZPOa2bKkj4Sj8hIAV5cb-ICnQErNZMo4lgsW0NKui7bvbD_QBb_Mh9gBCa81SK8QP2RtpyEYxEtgWXfSnw0zAj9tcrpBeJYsFxv8_PeYoFzx31/s640/Potica.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">If I had to pick a “favorite”—it would be Potica. Potica is a Slovenian nut roll that my grandma taught my father, sister, and I to bake before she passed away in 2014. Her husband’s family owned a bakery on the east side of Cleveland and she had learned how to make potica as a young wife from her mother in law. She would always scoff that various bakeries would put breadcrumbs in their nut rolls which is why they didn’t taste as good as hers. Any time she would taste another person’s potica, there would be a comment about the thickness of the dough, the presence or absence of raisins, and just a general sense of disapproval. She had her ways and they were the best.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS_9kSqMF7v7oboiV1qntvc-pbVc80aSBs6x4PBdkwh94UyTFX8aLIxZ9_eZLQRZDUY_lXDcwOx0Vy1Qe1F_HGnFJvntcon11XVHTQ8Ipx7QLCfPOWux2XVksiphUanbVozzA4Q-98hMTr/s1600/15409795_10211491475752693_516471660_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1136" data-original-width="852" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS_9kSqMF7v7oboiV1qntvc-pbVc80aSBs6x4PBdkwh94UyTFX8aLIxZ9_eZLQRZDUY_lXDcwOx0Vy1Qe1F_HGnFJvntcon11XVHTQ8Ipx7QLCfPOWux2XVksiphUanbVozzA4Q-98hMTr/s640/15409795_10211491475752693_516471660_o.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Potica was her signature dessert and it was a big deal that she even let us know how to make it. We spent YEARS fighting tooth and nail to get her to tell us all of the ingredients. Slowly but surely, she began to fill in the blanks of the frustratingly empty handwritten recipe card that she kept in her recipe box (WHY do handwritten recipes NEVER include all the ingredients or instructions?!). She was always so smug sitting in the corner supervising our efforts—smirking when we would trip up. The Christmas after she passed away, my dad, sister, and I decided to keep our Christmas tradition of baking potica alive and we struggled to get it just right that year. The following Christmas, our world would be rocked.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWiClwdPJzQFh6Zg4ieLBLeaksu0KPyGE2C8XWDS9tKAgHFwXgJIYef2wt03vaWdpNZ-MdZEgF9VlGRXZYQH9buSPFmzCm594NwQohXTe9c_byGDkLrVeKfcV6J3rodEzZCEMyTQBpNIHM/s1600/15409641_10211491487832995_1671101001_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="852" data-original-width="1136" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWiClwdPJzQFh6Zg4ieLBLeaksu0KPyGE2C8XWDS9tKAgHFwXgJIYef2wt03vaWdpNZ-MdZEgF9VlGRXZYQH9buSPFmzCm594NwQohXTe9c_byGDkLrVeKfcV6J3rodEzZCEMyTQBpNIHM/s640/15409641_10211491487832995_1671101001_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Erin's sister Nickele and their grandmother making Potica</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />In preparation for “The Baking of the Potica 2015”, my mother headed to the grocery store to gather the necessary ingredients. A sucker for interesting packaging, she decided to go with a different type of flour. The package had caught her eye because it looked “old fashioned”. She went with it. To her surprise, when she unpacked the groceries at home, she spied something eerily familiar on the back of the flour bag. A recipe for nut roll. That was exact, word for word, my grandmother’s recipe card. Annoying omissions and all. What. The. Hell.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">As it turns out, the flour company was an old Cleveland institution back in the early 1900’s—just when my grandfather’s family ran their bakery. We have done some investigating but we cannot determine which came first, the family potica recipe or the flour company recipe. We may never know.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>How about your least favorite thing to cook? </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Anything that requires too many dishes or gadgets. I have only recently began living in a house with a dishwasher and I still just cannot get used to using it. I still like to hand wash dishes as I cook and too many dishes make me bananas. Speaking of bananas, my husband and father in law love my banana cream pie and it requires the use of a lot of dishes. So that’s my answer. I don’t like making banana cream pie.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>What is your favorite local restaurant and what is one you are dying to try out?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Favorite: That’s hard. I have specific favorite things from a bunch of different places. I love the french toast from <a href="http://albatrosbrasserie.com/" target="_blank">L’Albatros</a>. I love the affogato from <a href="http://www.cropbistro.com/" target="_blank">Crop Bistro</a> (no longer on the menu…boo). I love s’mores ice cream from <a href="https://mitchellshomemade.com/" target="_blank">Mitchell’s</a>. I love hummus and milk shakes from <a href="http://tommyscoventry.com/" target="_blank">Tommy’s</a>. I love the way my kids eat anything they get at <a href="http://ytr.com/" target="_blank">Yours Truly</a> and don't complain while they are there.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Dying to try out: <a href="http://www.coffeecreekestate.com/TheFarmerTheButcherTheChef.html" target="_blank">The Farmer, The Butcher, The Chef</a> in Austinburg, OH</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Music and food go together so beautifully. You are hosting a dinner party, what would be on your playlist? </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Likely I would have a theme to said party—so some sort of theme music.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">If it is friends hanging out, probably something chill. Iron and Wine, The Wood Brothers, The Devil Makes Three, The Band, Mandolin Orange, Mipso, Trampled by Turtles, The Avett Brothers.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">If it is a gaggle of toddlers and preschoolers and frazzled moms (most likely): Caspar Babypants</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>What would you choose to be your last meal on earth? </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Apple crisp with vanilla bean ice cream</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>What are you currently reading? </b></span><br />
<span id="docs-internal-guid-e4a5b08c-ee86-e7a2-eca0-f60cbe1fd9bc"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Discovering the Enneagram by Richard Rohr</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>What is your favorite Kitchen Gadget?</b></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Tie between a stand mixer and the InstantPot</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Do you have a signature go-to dish?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">My family would say chicken paprikas</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>What is your favorite thing about the Cleveland area?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The fact that we have four distinct seasons, the lake and the various things that come with it (sailing, swimming, sunsets), awesome rivers for paddling, great biking, a thriving wine region, countless destinations for family vacations within a reasonable driving distance. The fact that our cost of living is low. The growing optimism that is palpable downtown. Our museums. The orchestra. The theater. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seriously, aren't her daughters just the cutest?!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br />
Do you have a favorite meal from your childhood and do you cook it today? </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">My mom rarely made the same thing more than once—but she did routinely make a certain tortellini sausage soup. And yes, I still make that. My grandma made many of our meals when I was a kid. One of my favorites was Hawaiian Bread French Toast on Thursday mornings. I tend to make french toast with challah bread instead. But I will break out the sweet bread if I am feeling nostalgic.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Top 3 Movies of all time? </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Zero idea. I am not much of a movie enthusiast. I’ll go with movies I have probably seen the most in my life: Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Goonies, and Beauty and the Beast. As you can tell, I haven’t watched many movies as a grown up apparently.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>What was your happiest moment in life? </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Falling in love with my husband and the birth of my kids (separate moments—I loved my husband before my kids were born)</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0pKC3OnODfkdrTM36vhIHfMIvKj2co7jjXAELg1xnRwWJ3ZfQMLqp6OzAZrh70n_eO7aH2WGlviwLC5dawNi8RWxuPX2S-iddO7xluapk3tcTBe90P37Urg6FiifPo0klk20GRoVKxDfm/s1600/22243630_10214490323402010_1688003189_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0pKC3OnODfkdrTM36vhIHfMIvKj2co7jjXAELg1xnRwWJ3ZfQMLqp6OzAZrh70n_eO7aH2WGlviwLC5dawNi8RWxuPX2S-iddO7xluapk3tcTBe90P37Urg6FiifPo0klk20GRoVKxDfm/s640/22243630_10214490323402010_1688003189_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Erin and her husband Jayson</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Where do you do your grocery shopping? </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Costco and Giant Eagle mostly </span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">(but would shop at Wegman’s hands down if we had one closer to us!)</span></span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<b style="font-family: inherit;">What is your favorite guilty pleasure when it comes to food?</b><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">These dark russet potato chips that are like a whole bag of burnt potato chips. LOVE.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Do you have Culinary Resolutions that you would like to accomplish this year? </b></span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Get our chest freezer moved back into our house (we recently underwent a giant renovation and not everything has been moved back) and start back on freezer meals for weeknights. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>One word that best describes you is:</b></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Energetic</b></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4xIdon4jBI-HJulLuV0xu0b2NGuPtzvY7KNNzJFLqX8DydPdVXexsDnMGeDLn2v09lfzEonnt3rFiY41Tzd6zv2xhD9CAgoavhYRIj031RkM3er8whZAmfgW1jXB00VdnowDqgjVDrgSc/s1600/21017877_10156550046954418_1083995301_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4xIdon4jBI-HJulLuV0xu0b2NGuPtzvY7KNNzJFLqX8DydPdVXexsDnMGeDLn2v09lfzEonnt3rFiY41Tzd6zv2xhD9CAgoavhYRIj031RkM3er8whZAmfgW1jXB00VdnowDqgjVDrgSc/s640/21017877_10156550046954418_1083995301_o.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eclipse 2017 anyone?!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>And now for your favorite recipe:</b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Chicken Paprikas</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Serves 4-6</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">1 onion, chopped</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">2 tbsp bacon grease</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1 tbsp paprika</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1 tsp black pepper</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">2 tsp salt</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">4-5 lbs chicken thighs</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1 ½ cups water</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">½ pint sour cream</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">3 tbsp bacon grease</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Enough flour to make a roux</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">Instructions:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">In a large dutch oven or similar pot, brown onion in 2 tbsp bacon grease; add seasonings and brown until fragrant. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Add chicken. Brown for 10 minutes. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Add water; cover and let simmer slowly until tender (2 hours).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">Remove chicken from the liquid, discarding skin, bones, and knuckles. Set meat aside.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">In a medium pan, melt 3 tbsp bacon grease. Add flour and whisk to make a roux. Slowly add liquid from the chicken pot to the roux until well mixed. Add all back to the chicken pot. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Add sour cream to the pot and mix well.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">Return the chicken to the pot. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">Add galuska (<i>see recipe below</i>), if desired</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Heat through and serve</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">For more gravy, add ½ pint sweet cream to sour cream</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXKBRZQ5lIlxp3gm8n78V98iXGOpxKYPef4XRdovS3avjsUbUS7i6r9tAa4uNzuXX2yZMYoLcidnWzNfojySE3zVz6Lzu7LvnlM61eeZ5qLgCnLBQKHQtorqb-Clf-mPM6wJ_j985v4ZMi/s1600/15409786_10211491470432560_1519824234_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="852" data-original-width="1136" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXKBRZQ5lIlxp3gm8n78V98iXGOpxKYPef4XRdovS3avjsUbUS7i6r9tAa4uNzuXX2yZMYoLcidnWzNfojySE3zVz6Lzu7LvnlM61eeZ5qLgCnLBQKHQtorqb-Clf-mPM6wJ_j985v4ZMi/s400/15409786_10211491470432560_1519824234_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Galuska</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Serves 4-6 people</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">3 eggs, beaten</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">3 cups flour</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1 tsp salt</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">½ cup water</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">Instructions:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">Mix all ingredients together and beat with a spoon</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Drop batter by teaspoonful into boiling salted water. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Cook about 10 minutes; drain and rinse with cold water</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Drain well and add to paprikas or serve on the side. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">***Recipes adapted from my grandmother and the ladies of the Hungarian Reformed Church - Fairport Harbor, OH***</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN5QN95xz7oOiJVG2tOoW42DL9ue0fSclrbEzLGf5nEneGBjORR5nPNfkkUOni7NkFup2Vm2x7V1rHjc1MybGNRBVHPFew4EkzMn0MFguUd09cj7uzJudgkyQUgatvvr_4xtlilzDYPEDK/s1600/22290798_10214490512926748_37849358_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1334" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN5QN95xz7oOiJVG2tOoW42DL9ue0fSclrbEzLGf5nEneGBjORR5nPNfkkUOni7NkFup2Vm2x7V1rHjc1MybGNRBVHPFew4EkzMn0MFguUd09cj7uzJudgkyQUgatvvr_4xtlilzDYPEDK/s320/22290798_10214490512926748_37849358_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">making silly faces with her daughter</td></tr>
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Amiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01682300095543726598noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4977476716086367111.post-66136979186126866922017-10-02T08:06:00.000-04:002017-10-02T08:08:01.594-04:00Classic Ratatouille <div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWSrlXYR80szXiD8V4Acl_iB-R54FxYQJ2yN3zMQRh9BOTXvdhbpquAYLBkZzZLfoDHnLG_r7afys6w2IjgbjjAVDc35LFMJEi61pH17LJCYLPB6LTBnKqGZJAr8yrwHrjZyH14-XYUQJE/" /></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">We belong to our local CSA, <a href="http://freshforkmarket.com/" target="_blank">Fresh Fork Market</a> and just LOVE IT. Wednesdays are my favorite day of the week when we get to head to the neighborhood truck and pick up our weekly share. The bags are overflowing with the most gorgeous fruits, veggies, and since we get the Omnivore Share, meats too. It's such a fun way to not only support local farms and small businesses, but also try things you may never have picked up at the grocery store on your own. It keeps meal time exciting for sure! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">But <i>sometimes</i> I gotta admit on weeks when we are particularly busy (like last week!) I have to play a game of catch up to use my veggies before 1) they go bad 2) we are hit with next week's share doubling our fresh food and loosing space to store it all in my fridge! In these situations soups, stews and stir-fry's are kings in our house! And Friday was one of those days. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">In my crisper was zucchini, </span>patty pan<span style="font-family: inherit;"> squash, eggplant, a variety of peppers and my counter tops were full of tomatoes (just to name a few!!). What was the best way to use this all up? Ratatouille of course! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Ratatouille is a delicious vegetarian stew from the Provence region France using the best of summers bounty. It can be eaten as a side dish, spooned onto nice crusty bread, served over rice, stirred into pasta, we love it over roasted chicken and as a base instead of sauce for homemade pizza; its uses are endless! I won't lie, it is a bit of a labor of love due to lots of vegetable chopping and sauteing in batches, but its a super easy dish to throw together and can be made in advance and reheated throughout the week. I actually think Ratatouille tastes even better the next day because then all the flavors have had a chance to meld together. It also freezes wonderfully! This recipe has become a favorite and I hope you love it as much as we do. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Ratatouille</span></b><br />
<br />
Extra Virgin Olive Oil<br />
2 onions halved and then sliced into wedges<br />
2 peppers, deseeded and chopped into 2" chunks<br />
2 eggplants quartered and then chopped into 2" chunks<br />
2 zucchini or yellow squash halved and sliced<br />
5-6 tomatoes roughly chopped, juices and seeds included<br />
1 can whole plum tomatoes or stewed tomatoes, undrained<br />
4 cloves of garlic, thinly sliced<br />
A few sprigs of fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried<br />
1/2 bunch fresh basil<br />
2 Tablespoons Balsamic Vinegar<br />
Salt and fresh ground black pepper<br />
<br />
Heat a large stock pot over medium heat. Add 2 Tablespoons of Olive Oil. Once oil is hot add your chopped peppers, zucchini, and eggplant and sauté until they begin to soften and brown a bit. Do not cook through. Work in batches if needed and transfer cooked veggies to a bowl. Set aside.<br />
<br />
Add a teaspoon of oil to the stockpot along with the garlic and onions. Sauté for 15 minutes until soft and beginning to caramelize. Add the cooked vegetables, tomatoes- fresh and canned, whole sprigs of thyme and Balsamic Vinegar to the pot. Stir well to combine, gently scraping the bottom of the pot to incorporate the wonderful brown bits into the stew. Cover and turn the heat down to low. Allow to simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.<br />
<br />
Add a good pinch of salt and fresh ground black pepper and stir well. Simmer for an additional 15-30 minutes allowing the sauce to reduce and thicken. The longer the veggies simmer, the softer and silkier they will become. Taste and adjust seasoning. Remove the stems of the thyme and discard. Now you want to chiffonade the basil. You do this by stacking the basil leaves on top of one another and then roll up. Thinly slice the basil creating long thin strips. Sprinkle the basil into the ratatouille, reserving a bit for garnish. Stir to combine.<br />
<br />
Serve alongside crusty bread, trust me you'll want it to sop up all the delicious sauce. Enjoy!<br />
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<br />Amiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01682300095543726598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4977476716086367111.post-80376594273568635042017-09-30T11:18:00.000-04:002017-09-30T11:18:18.938-04:00Insalata Caprese, Tomato and Buffalo Mozzarella Salad<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgalLz7AF6gT11jtXWP0ChzMq5pStpVFVWCF1uYvS47tqd2oMge9nApraKQzVoISWTVee-snJGaYRpLt2iqvpeJZEgMJJdGl-_Wh-2Lx8TOHJCH8X3dae7QyZfKJObe_S8Okmj-WFlilO9D/" /></div>
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While studying abroad in London during college I took a holiday to Paris for the weekend. I got in late and was STARVING. After checking into my hotel I decided to go wander around and find a place to get a bite to eat. Paris seems to never sleep and there were so many amazing sites and smells all around me, but a cozy little pizza place called my name. After traveling in a foreign country, here I felt at home. This restaurant, of all places, was where I had Insalata Caprese, or Tomato Mozzarella Salad, for the first time. A classic Italian salad while in Paris, France! No better place really, it created a special memory that I'll never forget. What's even better is that it is SO EASY to recreate, and has become a summertime staple in our home.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Insalata Caprese</span></b><br />
<br />
3-4 large Tomatoes, thickly sliced<br />
2 large balls of Fresh Buffalo Mozzarella, thickly sliced<br />
1 bunch fresh basil leaves, leaves stripped from the stems<br />
Coarse Sea Salt and Fresh Ground Black Pepper, to taste<br />
Extra Virgin Olive Oil<br />
Balsamic Glaze<br />
<br />
Alternate thick slices of fresh Tomato (look for nice big ones!), Buffalo Mozzarella and Basil leaves around a large platter. Season generously with coarse sea salt and fresh cracked black pepper. Drizzle with Extra Virgin Olive Oil and a Balsamic Glaze. And then dig in!<br />
<br />
<br />
This salad goes with just about anything. We equally love it alongside a juicy steak as with nice dippy eggs at breakfast. Sooooo good. While the tomatoes are still showing up in your CSA bag and at roadside stands, be sure to give this recipe a try! You'll see it's the perfect kiss of summer.<br />
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And here's a little tip. Instead of buying the expensive basil in the plastic clam shell packs in the produce department (that seem to go bad way before you have time to use them all!) buy the fresh cut stems. Then when you get home, place them in a glass or mason jar of water on your windowsill. You can pinch off the leaves as you need it when cooking and after time, your basil will start to take root! Eventually you can plant them in a pot for a kitchen cutting garden or in your back yard!<br />
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<br />Amiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01682300095543726598noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4977476716086367111.post-43944688801646793832017-09-25T14:35:00.000-04:002017-09-25T14:35:16.358-04:00My Anniversary Surprise<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVrVmZmk1DiaZg49uR2BbSa5kYkyoyfqhITbGjwADBURbGvTBXDlVxvbgfUNwGWnzr0MP0V3YBoixL5qs1gRgJuRRxh_rU4JKN1qvkaSyAQLkmDbw_s964tTfRI9x96kdC9AhEdNPhr5KO/" /></div>
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One night while laying in bed, we were chatting about what we missed about life pre-kids. There really wasn't much we could think of, they definitely make our world better! But I did mention to Scott that I missed being able to go out on a whim for an overnight someplace, not needing to worry about babysitters or getting home at a particular hour, then sleeping in until we felt like then rolling down to brunch. We giggled and sighed and decided we traded in these little things for some pretty great kiddos.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS6QwnLlsLPaEchxZHUaR5XyyJ3SI9Th1IfPqdr5BZdFWABmuE4jvEJzvb53V3TfR-yR9GbczsMLoyAKzAmYYXTvU5vEmang_OSC6UyMcb4OXvqhlHjfGwOVLxPuC_5K7Tfp0XSLD7P-zM/s1600/IMG_1660.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS6QwnLlsLPaEchxZHUaR5XyyJ3SI9Th1IfPqdr5BZdFWABmuE4jvEJzvb53V3TfR-yR9GbczsMLoyAKzAmYYXTvU5vEmang_OSC6UyMcb4OXvqhlHjfGwOVLxPuC_5K7Tfp0XSLD7P-zM/s640/IMG_1660.PNG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">East 4th Street, Downtown Cleveland</td></tr>
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Well fast forward to last week and my sweetheart surprised me for our 12 year anniversary with EXACTLY that! He planned the whole thing- my amazing in-laws took the boys overnight so we could have a night on the town enjoying our beautiful CLE and one another, of course!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdzvKYi40_GBz1LFSm9t5sxzJwGyXd9bMjmQXtZmXRPGNPUQvVSVscGBqLbwn7otL-zkPgd1Je1v6U86vrUu2hEPyUvMNcwvVBHSsrzBnoNRB21cnP_t8BlWgg7IG0N9i0axSXHwYxSFKf/s1600/IMG_1258+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdzvKYi40_GBz1LFSm9t5sxzJwGyXd9bMjmQXtZmXRPGNPUQvVSVscGBqLbwn7otL-zkPgd1Je1v6U86vrUu2hEPyUvMNcwvVBHSsrzBnoNRB21cnP_t8BlWgg7IG0N9i0axSXHwYxSFKf/s640/IMG_1258+%25282%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from our hotel room</td></tr>
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We stayed at <a href="https://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/cleveland/cleoh/hoteldetail?qRef=sr&qDest=Cleveland%2C+OH%2C+United+States&qRpn=1&qChld=0&qSrt=sBR&qSHp=1&qSmP=3&qIta=99504425&qGRM=0&qLng=-81.695602&qRdU=1&qRms=1&srb_u=1&qAdlt=1&qPSt=0&qFRA=1&qLat=41.499401&qRRSrt=rt&qRad=30&qRpp=20&qBrs=6c.hi.ex.rs.ic.cp.in.sb.cw.cv.ul.vn.ki.sp.nd.ct&qWch=0#" target="_blank">The Holiday Inn Express</a> which is located in the renovated 19th century historic Guardian Bank Building built in 1894. Gorgeous! It was like taking a step back in time, but with modern flair. Our room had hardwood floors! I've decided that all hotels should have that, so so cool. The view from our room was awesome and we were located directly across the street from E. 4th meaning we could walk everywhere.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKwAumL6pgIZN4Q7AV4JpZn8EozTtZKjnaWdCwnPZpJ95TsnjPC8wHuD8mKLimAEm57JiZkCXbQkaAwuql1s7vRUWuzcBV-DMri4PH0o9XTqgOKsIh_xN4sVrScouQWC7PM7opyBKwJ6Cv/s1600/mabels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="876" data-original-width="1170" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKwAumL6pgIZN4Q7AV4JpZn8EozTtZKjnaWdCwnPZpJ95TsnjPC8wHuD8mKLimAEm57JiZkCXbQkaAwuql1s7vRUWuzcBV-DMri4PH0o9XTqgOKsIh_xN4sVrScouQWC7PM7opyBKwJ6Cv/s640/mabels.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Signature Cocktails at Mabel's BBQ. From left to right: Fool's Gold and Sauce Cutter Cocktail</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGUhPlVByLA08uUs0ERMZpvdF5tAKhsmInIpfgstauxcAPHHEFwhi9xDCSpH0vXeHaCbs692T3pR8eKfcFLuCJyDo52L_4m4c6Oo3yPYg3hWo-zlXVXEi9E2nl4fB8vUOI9Q_ObDNvH9d9/s1600/publicsquare.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="876" data-original-width="1170" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGUhPlVByLA08uUs0ERMZpvdF5tAKhsmInIpfgstauxcAPHHEFwhi9xDCSpH0vXeHaCbs692T3pR8eKfcFLuCJyDo52L_4m4c6Oo3yPYg3hWo-zlXVXEi9E2nl4fB8vUOI9Q_ObDNvH9d9/s640/publicsquare.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Arcade and a view of Public Square </td></tr>
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Bopping around the city on foot reminded us of our pre-married life living in Cambridge, MA. Scott thought of everything! Since he snagged our sitters early, we had the afternoon to explore, and that we did! We had a Signature Cocktail at <a href="http://www.michaelsymon.com/mabels-bbq/" target="_blank">Mabel's BBQ</a> (we neeeeed to go back for the food. It smelled SO GOOD in there!) and visited Cleveland's classic <a href="http://www.theclevelandarcade.com/" target="_blank">Arcade</a>. What a gorgeous piece of architecture! We then wandered through <a href="http://www.5thstreetarcades.com/" target="_blank">5th Street Arcades</a> and discovered a few hidden gems and a new favorite shop, <a href="https://www.happyhourcle.com/" target="_blank">The Happy Hour Collection</a>. Its full of retro barware, cocktail mixers, bitters and tinctures. This will be my new go-to for special gifts! It was then reservation time for a spectacular dinner at <a href="http://www.redthesteakhouse.com/?gclid=CLTGltb3wNYCFRe1wAodiIYKLw" target="_blank">Red Steakhouse</a> (no pictures! We were too hungry and gobbled everything up before I remembered to take a photo!) and then popped into the new <a href="https://www.heinens.com/downtown/" target="_blank">Heinen's</a> to take a peek. What a beauty! I wish that could be my regular weekly grocery shopping spot.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS6EAvWSMq4jNgkc60MDYZQyBk1dWYCbwIzw8SARx-TH88O8TpnuoklwkdscHoWDxzccBPG9zc8ZKk0fqxl5Za9Xug_PFfhiEPFX4pwcQbtyUJPfKa-ZWPbZWlF0YdHl-ha-SgvtGbR7ls/s1600/heinensdowntown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="878" data-original-width="1170" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS6EAvWSMq4jNgkc60MDYZQyBk1dWYCbwIzw8SARx-TH88O8TpnuoklwkdscHoWDxzccBPG9zc8ZKk0fqxl5Za9Xug_PFfhiEPFX4pwcQbtyUJPfKa-ZWPbZWlF0YdHl-ha-SgvtGbR7ls/s640/heinensdowntown.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Art Museum or Grocery Store? - The stunning Heinen's Downtown<br /><br /></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5JU6UBeAyIbqnKV8nYyCEPFFTReotURVWinEVlWmjQhmHNECPnQCNRtIRUiqRLJ2JjsLRdI2Xic4yrILl0uAXmXu0nzDmx6L9WVzN1C4VFO8vGJr5RojUMcxBP97jQ7mMeV6qvtAEB41a/s1600/IMG_1265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5JU6UBeAyIbqnKV8nYyCEPFFTReotURVWinEVlWmjQhmHNECPnQCNRtIRUiqRLJ2JjsLRdI2Xic4yrILl0uAXmXu0nzDmx6L9WVzN1C4VFO8vGJr5RojUMcxBP97jQ7mMeV6qvtAEB41a/s400/IMG_1265.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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Then off to my next surprise of the evening which walked us right past where it all began, The Wyndham Cleveland at Playhouse Square, where we held our wedding reception 💗 Of course we had to snap a photo.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4FBfX1J72T0vWlfeNnNQqZrNgHkYjzUSKxIqdHf9QxDcQNITUen2LrLqDblCSY2EyL82Fa1z_JcvbJKW8hN4mnkF5zWQWCX9unTmweLBsyRwPMWSxOMKzun4ySwdQXYdkAAAGZlYXut7p/s1600/playhousesquare.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="876" data-original-width="1170" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4FBfX1J72T0vWlfeNnNQqZrNgHkYjzUSKxIqdHf9QxDcQNITUen2LrLqDblCSY2EyL82Fa1z_JcvbJKW8hN4mnkF5zWQWCX9unTmweLBsyRwPMWSxOMKzun4ySwdQXYdkAAAGZlYXut7p/s640/playhousesquare.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Allen Theater at Playhouse Square for Shakespeare in Love</td></tr>
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Then it was off to <a href="http://www.playhousesquare.org/" target="_blank">Playhouse Square</a> to see Shakespeare in Love! Oh what a wonderful performance. It was funny and charming and romantic all rolled into one. The cast put on a spectacular show and reminded me just how much I love the theater! We don't get to do this nearly enough.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidmOYxFwdaIrId3lPIIrrLD_uMVLgXz4Ox8SMdkKpNvACN_aM9SbE9mS6FTYTR1iGu3RETkI8q3ey3Z5jsfaLKNs20sHGXcGkL80XOR7dKeVVuRCr28Yw_8m3C9jyowNf82l8_mTTiHvbm/s1600/velvettangoroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1365" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidmOYxFwdaIrId3lPIIrrLD_uMVLgXz4Ox8SMdkKpNvACN_aM9SbE9mS6FTYTR1iGu3RETkI8q3ey3Z5jsfaLKNs20sHGXcGkL80XOR7dKeVVuRCr28Yw_8m3C9jyowNf82l8_mTTiHvbm/s640/velvettangoroom.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Velvet Tango Room</td></tr>
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After the show we popped into the <a href="https://www.velvettangoroom.com/" target="_blank">Velvet Tango Room</a> for some swanky cocktails to round out our night. If you have never been here before it is worth a visit! Each cocktail is carefully crafted; you can truly taste the artful mixing these bartenders create. It's a welcome step back in time, where the clock slows down, the live music is jazzy and the conversation is always special.<br />
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But of all the beautiful plans for my surprise getaway, I think Friday morning was my favorite. We slept in as long as we wished in plushy, white blankets and lots of pillows with no requests for juice, or snacks or kindles. We enjoyed sweet morning snuggles while sipping coffee and catching up on blogs (me) and The New Yorker (him) until our tummies were ready for food. Then we got ourselves prettied up and headed to my next surprise- BRUNCH! It's probably my favorite word and easily my favorite thing. And something that we don't get to truly enjoy much anymore.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEC_QrN9D3VHk5Yt2pBf7gzPqelCFnXK3FYtoS-0ar1er2kldgoO7p3ImoDqlKkCvudUO0gnqcCqz3cjl6SpHh6WFQjzd9ZUkKdXVsqOSOXbadzBE7vtd3yQzvxoxNX7jnvYkZaaWFSzBP/s1600/IMG_1345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEC_QrN9D3VHk5Yt2pBf7gzPqelCFnXK3FYtoS-0ar1er2kldgoO7p3ImoDqlKkCvudUO0gnqcCqz3cjl6SpHh6WFQjzd9ZUkKdXVsqOSOXbadzBE7vtd3yQzvxoxNX7jnvYkZaaWFSzBP/s640/IMG_1345.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Le Petit Triangle Cafe</td></tr>
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Scott took us to the most adorable restaurant, <a href="http://lepetittriangle.com/" target="_blank">Le Petit Triangle Cafe</a>. It's this tiny, colorful French bistro in the heart of Ohio City. The coffee was the best, hands down, I have ever enjoyed next to our honeymoon in Italy. Not to mention the wonderfully spicy Bloody Mary's. Mmmm.<br />
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Now onto the food... my photos don't do it justice, but trust me when I say it was perfection. I enjoyed the Croque Norveggien, which was egg dipped challah, smoked salmon, spinach, creamy boursin, drizzled with béchamel and topped with an egg. Scott had the Baccalahau au "Benedict" which were these incredible salt cod and potato cakes, pugliese, fried eggs, and a pimenton aioli.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSL2zpd2PNOumB95YdFdIe5JJ83Ti47aksR-lspOOzGjgQgXuVQZ3AJw1-qYaOeeLu7yMeLfK86wKat61bg7jxmF7mzOHgtBDogZs7U6H15Xft7yBoME_1DX3gSQsjka3TA08wdqQHiwKX/s1600/breakfast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1365" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSL2zpd2PNOumB95YdFdIe5JJ83Ti47aksR-lspOOzGjgQgXuVQZ3AJw1-qYaOeeLu7yMeLfK86wKat61bg7jxmF7mzOHgtBDogZs7U6H15Xft7yBoME_1DX3gSQsjka3TA08wdqQHiwKX/s640/breakfast.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">left to right: Baccalahau au "Benedict", Croque Norveggien</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3kyYj3HyHDl4DcMEkt0e5p85YpuaUA-XPuLm-_5Omp3F0wsFCxYjW6CGgowqxx0EYAvVpbYEmoLZ5cr2Thc-tOSWGqxHwxtzpFnsu7uUFE7YGTXAHbG6nH9Y8lsgncB51G8BNlS-3TKJB/s1600/lepetit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="876" data-original-width="1170" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3kyYj3HyHDl4DcMEkt0e5p85YpuaUA-XPuLm-_5Omp3F0wsFCxYjW6CGgowqxx0EYAvVpbYEmoLZ5cr2Thc-tOSWGqxHwxtzpFnsu7uUFE7YGTXAHbG6nH9Y8lsgncB51G8BNlS-3TKJB/s400/lepetit.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Best. Coffee. Ever.</td></tr>
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<br />I can't recommend this restaurant enough, they created a cozy, truly authentic, down right delectable experience. Right here in our very own CLE! It was so fun being tourists in our own town and experiencing Cleveland in a different way. I think this may have to become our new anniversary tradition! Thank you Scottie for showering me with such a beautifully thought out getaway. It was truly romantic! I love you to the moon and back.<br />
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Have you ever taken a vacation in your hometown, treated your adventure as if you were a tourist yourself? I would love to hear all about it! Please share your stories with me here in the comments, on my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/myretrokitchen/" target="_blank">Facebook page</a>, or as you follow along with our families adventures on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/myretrokitchen/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>.Amiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01682300095543726598noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4977476716086367111.post-5158144091695771702016-12-16T00:00:00.000-05:002016-12-18T13:56:55.578-05:00Friday's, Feasting with Friends Featuring Wendy Haas<div style="text-align: center;">
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<b><b><i>"One of the delights of life is eating with friends, second to that is talking about eating. And, for an unsurpassed double whammy, there is talking about eating while you are eating with friends."</i></b></b></div>
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<b><b><i>~Laurie Colwin 'Home Cooking'</i></b></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Today's featured guest for Friday's, Feasting with Friends is my dear friend and fellow <a href="http://bwiofcleveland.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Babywearing International of Cleveland</a> educator, Wendy Haas. I have been attending meetings and then teaching with Wendy for what feels like ages and I love being able to share that part of my life with her. There is a special bonding that comes with helping caregivers to wear their babies. I'll never forget the meeting that we were co-teaching, and chitchatting a bit while setting up. We discovered that we were both Art Historians- not a profession that you encounter very often! It is so fun to find your people in the least expected places. I worked at Harvard University Art Museums in Cambridge, MA directly out of college. It was an amazing experience and one that very much formed me into who I am today. But <i>holy cow</i>, that was TWELVE years ago. It feels like a lifetime with so much that has happened in those 12 years- marriage, three children, moved 4 times, bought two houses, became a Stay at Home Mom; big life changes that make life pre-kids and marriage almost seem like a distant dream. So having the opportunity to reconnect to that part of myself again through Wendy is a breath of fresh air. She is a wonderful conversationalist- be it art, music, politics, kid's, LIFE, it's good meaningful stuff. We went on a road trip together this summer to the International Babywearing Conference in Atlanta, GA and those many hours in the car flew by filled with wonderful conversations. That's what road trips are made of! Wendy has the loveliest little girls, they are such a delight, plus a sweet husband completing their little family. She is a kindred spirit and I am pleased to introduce you all to her. Enjoy. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Wendy Haas</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh43i7GskzcyqHfNX9CfGgycQLG-pGynkjMQDX-Cgh8UVOczv0tXUeUSLaSXvCRJxVpyz6wghNiLGMG6FsJ-aw8yT8aqpZt8y8HJJ1BZcFnEAg4OXp7EOexyptqxmP6S0_sN50jr6NIFshx/s1600/Haas01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh43i7GskzcyqHfNX9CfGgycQLG-pGynkjMQDX-Cgh8UVOczv0tXUeUSLaSXvCRJxVpyz6wghNiLGMG6FsJ-aw8yT8aqpZt8y8HJJ1BZcFnEAg4OXp7EOexyptqxmP6S0_sN50jr6NIFshx/s640/Haas01.jpg" width="426" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What is your occupation?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Professor of art history</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What is your favorite thing to cook? </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fried rice</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How about your least favorite thing to cook?</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Anything time-consuming. I don’t MIND cooking, but I don’t really love it, either. I want the things I make to be healthy, tasty, and EASY.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What is your favorite local restaurant and what is one you are dying to try out?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.mustardseedmarket.com/" target="_blank">Mustard Seed</a> has great vegan options for us (also, <a href="http://meltbarandgrilled.com/" target="_blank">Melt</a> and <a href="http://www.aladdinseatery.com/" target="_blank">Aladin’s</a>)! We’d love to spend more time exploring the near West side and Tremont, trying places like <a href="http://clevelandvegan.com/" target="_blank">Cleveland Vegan</a> and <a href="http://www.helioterravegancafe.com/" target="_blank">Helio Terra Vegan Cafe.</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Music and food go together so beautifully. You are hosting a dinner party, what would be on your playlist?</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Beatles, probably because it’s the only request my children make! Depending on the mood, I’d choose Paul Simon’s </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Graceland</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> or Neutral Milk Hotel’s </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the Areoplane Over the Sea</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, for myself, because they pair well with everything.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What would you choose to be your last meal on earth?</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Gnocchi? Not something I want to contemplate!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What are you currently reading?</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Oh-Crap-Potty-Training-Everything/dp/1501122983/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1481735244&sr=8-1&keywords=Oh%2C+Crap%21+Potty+Training" target="_blank">Oh, Crap! Potty Training</a></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Oh-Crap-Potty-Training-Everything/dp/1501122983/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1481735244&sr=8-1&keywords=Oh%2C+Crap%21+Potty+Training" target="_blank"> </a>is on the list for the holidays, but I’d really like to finish Justin Cronin’s </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/City-Mirrors-Novel-Passage-Trilogy/dp/034550500X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1481735292&sr=8-1&keywords=City+of+Mirrors" target="_blank">City of Mirrors</a></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> first! After that, I just got </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Confronting Racism in the Arts</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, which I hope will give me plenty of food for thought going into the spring semester.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What is your favorite Kitchen Gadget?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">No contest! Immersion blender!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Do you have a signature go-to dish?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I make a mean vegan spinach artichoke dip!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What is your favorite thing about the Cleveland area?</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Low cost of living, excellent park system, world-class arts and culture...! There’s so much to love about living here.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Do you have a favorite meal from your childhood and do you cook it today?</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nope! I was a pretty picky eater and my parents, while good cooks, tended to prepare pretty generic fare most of the time. Since going vegetarian in college and vegan a few years ago, almost all the recipes I use are new to me and my family.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Top 3 Movies of all time?</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Star Wars, Indiana Jones (I’m partial to Temple of Doom, but love them all), Romancing the Stone</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What was your happiest moment in life?</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hard to pinpoint. I loved traveling alone, and found the freedom intoxicating! Seeing monuments and museums I’d only ever studied was powerful and deeply moving. But I also look fondly back on the first few weeks of my kids’ lives, the haze and fog of new love, and think that’s really what it’s all about.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Where do you do your grocery shopping?</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mostly Costco and Giant Eagle. Some vegan ingredients are easier to come by at specialty stores; our local one is Krieger’s.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What is your favorite guilty pleasure when it comes to food?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Peanut butter, I think. I eat it straight from the jar and get annoyed when my husband or anyone else uses it, even for the kids. They have their own!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Do you have Culinary Resolutions that you would like to accomplish this year?</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Not really. We’re always working toward more efficient meal-planning, and wasting less food. That last one may be nearly impossible with toddlers, but we can certainly be better at batch cooking and freezing things!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">One word that best describes you is:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Anxious</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiixKYvNd8FO71iRuP4ld8RXZlkm2IaRB0UhovlEIjXhmrb46CD1ObplEnfZFFjRzNVb6qFw6xsY9TcnqXg_rUcqiZ_tBfXHgQdpSxSPgeEw3RBHugFUr-TnH7_L0XrLXkqvuyweMGcmoag/s1600/whaas_102015-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiixKYvNd8FO71iRuP4ld8RXZlkm2IaRB0UhovlEIjXhmrb46CD1ObplEnfZFFjRzNVb6qFw6xsY9TcnqXg_rUcqiZ_tBfXHgQdpSxSPgeEw3RBHugFUr-TnH7_L0XrLXkqvuyweMGcmoag/s640/whaas_102015-5.jpg" width="426" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And now for your favorite recipe:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGFq9CRLcChayFhvu6XhRWqW3x7T77OkJe0JSju1jIA8rI5nMLULEg8K7CCkFasrqK5_0E-M5d7wDy92MvKKuFHE_aAUHViEznzSIuRU-gTiK63FkdJKamVel_PU0t02wYWVdtBitOVGqY/s1600/tofufriedrice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGFq9CRLcChayFhvu6XhRWqW3x7T77OkJe0JSju1jIA8rI5nMLULEg8K7CCkFasrqK5_0E-M5d7wDy92MvKKuFHE_aAUHViEznzSIuRU-gTiK63FkdJKamVel_PU0t02wYWVdtBitOVGqY/s640/tofufriedrice.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: large; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Fried Rice with Tofu and Veggies</b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: black; vertical-align: baseline;">Adapted from </span><span style="color: black; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/15-Minute-Vegetarian-Recipes-Delicious-Family/dp/1592331769/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1481730130&sr=8-1&keywords=15-Minute+Vegetarian+Recipes%3A+200+Quick%2C+Easy%2C+and+Delicious+Recipes" target="_blank">15-Minute Vegetarian</a></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1 c. veggie broth (I use one bouillon cube dissolved in hot water for extra flavor)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2 Tbsp. soy sauce</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1 Tbsp. oil (I use canola)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Minced garlic at your discretion (I probably use a tablespoon or more!)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1 tsp. Ground ginger</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Pinch of cayenne pepper</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Stir-fry veggies (I use about a pound or a pound and a half of a frozen mix that includes onion, peppers, water chestnuts, baby corn, green beans, broccoli, etc.)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1 package of firm or extra-firm tofu, cubed (I usually press it for a half hour to an hour before cubing)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3-4 c. cooked rice (I tend to use brown rice, but recently tried this with cauliflower pearls and it was okay, too!)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Stir together broth, soy sauce, canola oil, ginger, garlic, and cayenne.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Heat a wok over medium-high heat for a minute or so, then pour in about a third of the broth mixture and add the veggies.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Stir-fry for a few minutes (usually 4-6) until soft. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Add the tofu and another third of the broth mixture. Stir-fry for another few minutes.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Add the rice (or cauliflower!) and the remainder of the broth mixture. Stir and toss until heated through (about 3-4 minutes).</span></div>
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Amiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01682300095543726598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4977476716086367111.post-37121975571257927262016-12-13T17:54:00.000-05:002016-12-13T18:19:58.371-05:00Bone Broth<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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One of the best things you can prepare in your own kitchen instead of purchasing in the store is hands down homemade stocks and broth. Sure it is convenient to grab a box of chicken or beef stock at the grocery store when your recipe calls for it, but the nutrient-dense stocks that you can cook at home with very little effort and very minimal cost outweigh any convenience! The main ingredients to any stock or broth are water, bones from animals (chicken, turkey, beef, lamb, fish, venison, bison, pork, etc.), a few vegetables, and spices. You put all your ingredients together in a large stock pot or crock pot and allow to simmer (about 45 minutes to an hour for broth, 3-4 hours for stock and 24+ hours for bone broth), strain and then serve or store for future recipes. And what you get in return is not only delicious and pure- no strange preservatives, MSG or additives added in like the store bought counterpart, but jam-packed with nutrition. There is a reason chicken soup is suggested to help beat a cold! Sure it is warm, comforting and easy on a sore throat but it is so much more than just that. It is super high in protein, full of minerals that your body craves; gelatin, calcium and potassium, all which support healthy skin, hair, nails and bones, and teeth. It is a basically a powerhouse of nutrition! The longer you cook your bones the more minerals and nutrients you are pulling out of the bones. If chicken stock that has been simmered for 45 minutes is thought to be good for a cold, can you imagine the dense health benefits a bone broth that has been simmered for 24 or more hours can do for your body? The stuff is pretty amazing. <br />
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Broth and stocks can be sipped as a tea, used as a base for soups, braising vegetables and meats, and to replace the water in most recipes (rice, sauces, gravies, etc.) to not only add the health benefits but also boost your flavor! Try making a simple rice using just water and give it a taste. Next make that same rice but replace the water with stock. You will never want to use water again, it's a game changer!<br />
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You can purchase your bones at the butcher or the meat counter of your local grocery store for about $2 a pound. You will then want to roast them in the oven (30 minutes at 350 degrees) to bring a richness in flavor but also to remove any bitterness the raw bones can add to the stock. But really the easiest method in my opinion is to simply reserve the leftover bones when you roast your meat- chicken, turkey, a pot roast, etc. If I don't plan on making my bone broth within a few days I will store them in the freezer in a resealable plastic bag until I'm ready. You will almost always find a chicken carcass or two in my downstairs freezer! <br />
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<i>Turkey carcass, vegetables, herbs and seasoning</i></div>
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If I am cooking a quick broth or just a simple stock that only takes 3-4 hours then I make it on my stovetop in a heavy bottomed stock pot or dutch oven. But when I am doing a chicken or turkey bone broth that needs to cook for at least 24 hours or a beef bone broth that will go for 48 hours then I prefer to utilize my crock pot. I just feel safer going to bed or leaving the house during that time without an open flame on my gas stove. <br />
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On Thanksgiving I am just as excited to save my bones after my (very handsome!) husband carves the turkey, as I am to eat the meat itself! Ha! Our turkey this year turned out so fantastic (thank you Alton Brown! Your <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/good-eats-roast-turkey-recipe.html" target="_blank">Brined Thanksgiving Turkey recipe</a> never fails!) that I knew the bone broth was going to be incredible. So after carving, the bones went back into the roasting pan, covered and into the fridge until the following day. For a bone broth you want to pick off the majority of the meat. A little bit is ok, (think the meat left on the neck or the little bit that is adhering to the bones) but our focus are those beautiful bones.<br />
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<i>Scott carving up our Thanksgiving turkey</i></div>
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Snow is falling, temperatures dropping and Winter is upon us. Which means one thing- cold and flu season is here. So if you haven't started making your own bone broth and stocks now is the best time. Let's build up those powerful immunities and make staying healthy our top priority! Here's to a healthy You!<br />
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<i>Turkey Bone Broth after 27 hours in the crock pot, before straining</i></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Bone Broth</span></b><br />
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2 lbs or more, roasted bones (about 2-3 chicken carcasses, or 1 turkey carcass)<br />
1 onion cut into fourths<br />
2-3 large carrots, cut into thirds (if organic no need to peel)<br />
2 celery stalks including the leaves, roughly chopped<br />
2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar<br />
1 bay leaf<br />
1 Tablespoon whole peppercorns<br />
2 garlic cloves, smashed<br />
Optional: bunch of fresh herbs (since this was thanksgiving turkey stock I wanted to go with those flavors so I used parsley and rosemary)<br />
salt, about a teaspoon<br />
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Place roasted bones in the bottom of your crock pot. Add the vegetables, vinegar, bay leaf, peppercorns, garlic and herbs. Add enough cold water to cover the bones. Cook on low a minimum 24 hours.<br />
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When finished cooking the bones should crumble when pressed lightly between your fingers. This means that all the minerals and nutrients have been pulled out of the bones and into your bone broth. Turn off the crock pot and allow to cool slightly. Strain the broth using a fine mesh sieve to remove all bits of vegetable, herbs and bones. I like to lightly press the solids with a wooden spoon in the sieve to remove all the broth. Discard all of the bones and vegetables. Season with salt. <br />
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To skim or not to skim? You can enjoy your bone broth as is, but if you choose to have less fat in your broth, then you will need to skim the fat that accumulates at the top. S<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">kimming off most of the fat is more important if you’re using bones from animals that are conventionally raised, like those found at your </span>traditional<span style="font-family: inherit;"> grocery store. But fat is your friend and if you know the animals that you get your bones from are grass-fed then you can skip the skimming step. The easiest way to skim the fat is to place your bone broth into the </span>refrigerator for several hours until a milky looking layer has formed on the top of your broth. This is the fat. You can then just scrape this off and discard. </span><br />
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Store in fridge for up to one week or freeze. You can freeze flat in quart-sized freezer bags, freeze in icecube trays and then transfer to freezer bags for more individual servings, or in mason jars. If using glass mason jars be sure to allow <i>at least</i> 2" of space to allow for expansion. If you don't leave space and over-fill your jars they will crack and you will be left with a mess and no broth. Terribly tragic! Allow to cool completely before freezing. Will store in the freezer for up to 6 months.<br />
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<br />Amiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01682300095543726598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4977476716086367111.post-10786177164318694202016-12-09T07:00:00.001-05:002016-12-09T14:45:40.575-05:00Friday's, Feasting with Friends Featuring Angie Forkapa<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
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<b><b><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">"One of the delights of life is eating with friends, second to that is talking about eating. And, for an unsurpassed double whammy, there is talking about eating while you are eating with friends."</span></i></b></b></div>
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<b><b><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">~Laurie Colwin 'Home Cooking'</span></i></b></b><br>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">My guest for today is my friend and neighbor Angie Forkapa. Hands down the hardest thing about moving to a new home was having to leave our wonderful </span>neighbors<span style="font-family: inherit;"> behind. I was heartsick about starting over, building new friendships not only for my children but myself as well. We were truly blessed in our first home, surrounded by good, kind people who cared for my family. How could we possibly find anything that could compare? Well God provides!! Our new neighborhood is again filled with amazing neighbors, instant family friends and playmates for my boys. Angie and her family live across the street from us and her youngest son Keegan was the welcoming committee when we first came to our new home. And that is just a perfect example of the Forkapa Family. They are welcoming, kind, and have a ways about them that makes you feel like you have known them for years. Angie was my first friend here on Deep Cove and I will always treasure how she made us all feel at home in our new neighborhood. Thank you Angie for just being you. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Angie Forkapa</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Angie and her amazing </span></span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Bernese</span> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Mountain</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> Dogs, Gunner and Daisy</span></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What is your occupation?</span><span style="font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span><br>
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm a stay at home mom for the most part although I do rock a hairnet twice a week in the cafeteria at my children's school. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What is your favorite thing to cook? </span><br>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hmmmm that's a tough question. I like to cook things that I can prepare all at once and pop in the oven or cook quickly on the stove. I don't enjoy cooking meals that take hours to prepare. Mostly because I am not the most patient person. I would say right now my favorite thing to cook is a copycat version of Panda Express's Orange Chicken. I made a gluten free version and it was a big hit with the kids and easy to make too which is a bonus. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How about your least favorite thing to cook?</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span><br>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fish! I like to eat all types of fish...except sushi...but I am not a fan of cooking it. I think it is more that I don't really know how to cook fish. All I ever do is bake it which is rather boring. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What is your favorite local restaurant and what is one you are dying to try out? </span><br>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cleveland has so many wonderful restaurants! <a href="http://www.bluepointgrille.com/" target="_blank">Blue Point</a> is at the top of my list. I love a good steak and have heard great things about <a href="http://www.stripsteakhouse.com/" target="_blank">STRIP</a> in Avon and would love to go there. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQElz2CuXCfnfqNJHaIi07U2tpqMOUkoVQCt3zrZSFJkaApueOvdMr1gHgPYC1LcWRjAeovMweelAm7Q0JUudXQefK8QYkTmJKhleEZRpdpxJK_0VWAA6WrvGWM-VbvaiPyqDv4KD_5rK-/s1600/15322329_10207515280066834_1201173648_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQElz2CuXCfnfqNJHaIi07U2tpqMOUkoVQCt3zrZSFJkaApueOvdMr1gHgPYC1LcWRjAeovMweelAm7Q0JUudXQefK8QYkTmJKhleEZRpdpxJK_0VWAA6WrvGWM-VbvaiPyqDv4KD_5rK-/s640/15322329_10207515280066834_1201173648_o.jpg" width="480"></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>The Forkapa Family</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Music and food go together so beautifully. You are hosting a dinner party, what would be on your playlist?</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span><br>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Both my husband and I have a pretty wide range of musical tastes. He likes to put on music that represents the food we are eating. If it's taco night, he puts on the Mexican music. An Italian dish, then Italian dinner music. Amazon Music has a great selection of dinner music. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What would you choose to be your last meal on earth?</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span><br>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Surf and Turf! I love a good steak and have always loved shrimp and lobster….dripping with butter of course. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What are you currently reading?</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span><br>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I love to read and the book I currently have on my Kindle is Almost Dead by T.R. Ragan. It's the 4th book in the Lizzy Gardner Series. A crime/who done it/suspense. My favorite book series have been Harry Potter and also the Outlander series. I have read both series more than once. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What is your favorite Kitchen Gadget? </span><br>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Not really a gadget, but we recently bought a cast iron skillet. I have been cooking EVERYTHING in it. I wish we had bought one earlier. My grandmother swore by hers and I can fondly recall her at the stove cooking many delicious meals. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Do you have a signature go-to dish? </span><br>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My kids love when I make roast beef and mashed potatoes or oven roasted chicken and mashed potatoes. My son was just home from college and he requested both of those along with flank steak. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What is your favorite thing about the Cleveland area?</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span><br>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cleveland has so many things to offer! Picking one favorite thing is so difficult. I love our park systems, the islands, restaurants and museums. My favorite though would be the Lake Erie islands. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Do you have a favorite meal from your childhood and do you cook it today?</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span><br>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My mom, hands down, made the BEST roast beef. It was something that she was frequently asked to make for parties in large quantities because it was that good. Even though she taught me how to make it, I just have not been able to duplicate hers. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Top 3 Movies of all time?</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span><br>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Gladiator, Gone With The Wind and Elf. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJMnxco8Bt4MP935hdWZkdfTzeg2QLdJmUX89nfA7IP2633I7n2CNBIjeLnCpAq3h4a3cE_qLiCj41hvXT25Az51xMCOEuYFsU-WQFM7vE_mUqvf3udUqJ1ARYD36k1a3BGSv3_tLB66k7/s1600/15319617_10207515342148386_1468037178_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJMnxco8Bt4MP935hdWZkdfTzeg2QLdJmUX89nfA7IP2633I7n2CNBIjeLnCpAq3h4a3cE_qLiCj41hvXT25Az51xMCOEuYFsU-WQFM7vE_mUqvf3udUqJ1ARYD36k1a3BGSv3_tLB66k7/s640/15319617_10207515342148386_1468037178_n.jpg" width="640"></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What was your happiest moment in life?</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span><br>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When each of my children were born. Nothing can possibly top that. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Where do you do your grocery shopping?</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span><br>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I like to buy as much organic as I can and do most of my shopping at Heinen's. However if I am in the neighborhood I will always stop at Whole Foods and Trader Joe's. I recently joined Costco and have been impressed with their organic food selection also. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What is your favorite guilty pleasure when it comes to food? </span><br>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">French Onion chip dip! So bad for you, but oh so good. If I'm invited to a party and they have french onion dip...that's where you will find me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Do you have Culinary Resolutions that you would like to accomplish this year?</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span><br>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Over the past few years I have tried to go as organic as possible. Also limiting the amount of processed foods my family eats and making most meals from scratch. My ultimate goal would be to be proactive enough to put a menu together a week ahead of time and then grocery shop for it so I am prepared each day rather than deciding that morning what's for dinner based on what I have available.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">One word that best describes you is:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Loyal.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Well actually the first word that really came to mind was </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Sassy</i></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Lol. Loyalty is extremely important to me when it comes to my friends and family and I am fiercely loyal to those close to me. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF8oN-g8KAcqX7MhXvBL_ZbuZ837He39sZ99LcFBZpNCxqQknVjTozDsv37RhWP9aR5pjtZrO-j7sId0jeZ-aa979rKfW79HORWRv9UlnDNWUlP1rog07jp6Z2th_ToaeWdAgPoFHxMacH/s1600/15302294_10207515356108735_1019199299_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF8oN-g8KAcqX7MhXvBL_ZbuZ837He39sZ99LcFBZpNCxqQknVjTozDsv37RhWP9aR5pjtZrO-j7sId0jeZ-aa979rKfW79HORWRv9UlnDNWUlP1rog07jp6Z2th_ToaeWdAgPoFHxMacH/s640/15302294_10207515356108735_1019199299_o.jpg" width="480"></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And now for your favorite recipe: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Since it has been such a big hit with the kids recently I will share the Gluten Free Orange Chicken I have been making. I most definitely did NOT come up with this recipe myself, but found it on Pinterest. I use Gerber’s chicken which can be found at Heinen's and my cast iron skillet. I serve it over organic white rice. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do! </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://flippindelicious.com/2015/08/copy-cat-panda-express-gluten-free-orange-chicken.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Gluten Free Orange Chicken</span></a><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;"><br class="kix-line-break"></span></span><br>
<ul class="ingredients" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; list-style: none; margin-bottom: 11px; margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding: 6px 0px 0px 2px;">
<li itemprop="ingredients" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">2 pounds chicken, cut into bite-sized pieces (I used chicken tenderloins)</span></li>
<li itemprop="ingredients" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1/2 teaspoon salt</span></li>
<li itemprop="ingredients" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1/2 teaspoon black pepper</span></li>
<li itemprop="ingredients" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1/2 cup cornstarch, plus 1 tablespoon, divided</span></li>
<li itemprop="ingredients" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1/4 cup oil, approximately</span></li>
<li itemprop="ingredients" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1/4 cup tamari gluten free soy sauce</span></li>
<li itemprop="ingredients" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1/4 cup white vinegar</span></li>
<li itemprop="ingredients" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1/4 cup orange juice</span></li>
<li itemprop="ingredients" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1/4 cup water</span></li>
<li itemprop="ingredients" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1/4 cup brown sugar, packed</span></li>
<li itemprop="ingredients" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1/2 teaspoon minced garlic</span></li>
<li itemprop="ingredients" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes</span></li>
<li itemprop="ingredients" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 tablespoon orange zest</span></li>
<li itemprop="ingredients" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">green onions, to garnish, optional</span></li>
<li itemprop="ingredients" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br></span></li>
<li itemprop="ingredients" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Heat a heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat. Place the cornstarch in a large bowl and season with salt and pepper, add the chicken on top and toss until evenly coated.</span></li>
<li itemprop="ingredients" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br></span></li>
<li itemprop="ingredients" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Add just enough oil to coat the bottom of the hot skillet and then add the chicken. Cook stirring occasionally until all the chicken is cooked through and golden brown.</span></li>
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<li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Meanwhile whisk together all the remaining ingredients in a small bowl.</span></li>
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<li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Once the chicken is cooked through and golden brown remove it from the skillet. Pour the contents of the small bowl into the hot skillet and simmer and stir until thickened. Remove the skillet from the heat, add the chicken back in, and toss to coat.</span></li>
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<li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Garnish with some green onions if you want, and enjoy. You can serve it with steamed rice if desired.</span></li>
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Amiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01682300095543726598noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4977476716086367111.post-2158853675584092502016-12-02T07:00:00.000-05:002016-12-02T07:24:21.293-05:00Fridays, Feasting with Friends Featuring Kelly Morse<div style="text-align: center;">
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<b><b><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">"One of the delights of life is eating with friends, second to that is talking about eating. And, for an unsurpassed double whammy, there is talking about eating while you are eating with friends."</span></i></b></b></div>
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<b><b><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">~Laurie Colwin 'Home Cooking'</span></i></b></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I am so excited to to revive a feature of my blog called <i>Fridays, Feasting with Friends</i>.<b> </b>This is where e<span style="background-color: white; color: #474747;">ach</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #474747; font-family: inherit;"> Friday I will feature a different friend, family member, and other foodies, chat with th</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #474747; font-family: inherit;">em a bit in a little interview and then share one of their favorite recipes. This was easily my favorite day of the week here in My Retro Kitchen and I am thrilled to get this going again. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #474747;"><span style="background-color: white;">Today's guest is my very talented friend Kelly Morse. I first met Kelly when Aaron, my youngest, was a newborn. I was looking to have booties made to match one of my beloved woven wraps and admired those belonging to a mutual friend on Instagram. She told me that Sew Crunchy was the absolute BEST and pointed me her way. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCS-pfUQfIRKXeE44g72B09KL_yHEI7Tqj9bKXsmqkb9IiOeOmQYBbiABRW6mg75wj2SM8J5UJkoUcBVj_w1T84zvD7xeAlHq0a-x4toD1EpE4lHxgel835nKgX6_PmOjulC8hf_ZNM64c/s1600/kokadiahoi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCS-pfUQfIRKXeE44g72B09KL_yHEI7Tqj9bKXsmqkb9IiOeOmQYBbiABRW6mg75wj2SM8J5UJkoUcBVj_w1T84zvD7xeAlHq0a-x4toD1EpE4lHxgel835nKgX6_PmOjulC8hf_ZNM64c/s640/kokadiahoi.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #474747;"><i>teeny tiny Aaron in his perfect little shoes</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #474747;"><span style="background-color: white;">Not only is Sew Crunchy amazing but Kelly is probably one of the sweetest ladies I have had the pleasure getting to know! I often find myself grateful for social media. It has repeatedly offered me so many ways to connect with people from all over that I may not have met otherwise. The internet is such an incredible place! And now without further ado, I bring you Kelly Morse. </span></span></div>
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<b><b><span style="font-size: large;">Kelly Morse</span></b></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ8TbckVZ3x05q5owjgFschsaKo1OvMpwc4Dkkj1Yyd4OGvCRtR9cqL-pMVxbbsTZVFE9cxD6bfaTCA3EilkPIo6UwML6iAFVdSBuX-BQ3x2KKg9MhGfSRRv8XjC-jhIdfedE_w6uBuGKF/s1600/15271632_10102042409162772_1011378279_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ8TbckVZ3x05q5owjgFschsaKo1OvMpwc4Dkkj1Yyd4OGvCRtR9cqL-pMVxbbsTZVFE9cxD6bfaTCA3EilkPIo6UwML6iAFVdSBuX-BQ3x2KKg9MhGfSRRv8XjC-jhIdfedE_w6uBuGKF/s640/15271632_10102042409162772_1011378279_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">What do you do for a living?</span></b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I am officially a stay at home mom. But I also own my own business, <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/ShopSewCrunchy?ref=hdr_shop_menu" target="_blank">Sew Crunchy</a>, where I make soft sole kids shoes and a few other things. I've recently also became a consultant for <a href="https://www.perfectlyposh.com/Kellyrmorse/" target="_blank">Perfectly Posh</a>, a naturally based pampering company. So between my kids and two home businesses, I'm very busy!</span></span><br />
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<style type="text/css"><!--td {border: 1px solid #ccc;}br {mso-data-placement:same-cell;}</style><br />
--><span data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"What is your favorite thing to cook? "}"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">What is your favorite thing to cook?</span></b></span><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Anything my kids will eat without a fuss :P
But truthfully I don't love to cook. I might like the end result, but the planning and clean up is what kills my cooking mojo. I usually cook things that my husband likes, (he works so hard at his job so a good meal is what I like for him to come home to) so I usually do more comfort foods, creamy soups, breads and casseroles. </span></span><br />
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--><span data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"How about your least favorite thing to cook?"}"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">How about your least favorite thing to cook?</span></b></span><span data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"How about your least favorite thing to cook?"}"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><style type="text/css"><!--td {border: 1px solid #ccc;}br {mso-data-placement:same-cell;}</style></span></span><br />
--><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Anything involving RAW chicken. Ick. I'm usually picky and buy boneless skinless chicken breasts or cutlets, so the touching is minimal. "}">Anything involving RAW chicken. Ick. I'm usually picky and buy boneless skinless chicken breasts or cutlets, so the touching is minimal.</span><span data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"How about your least favorite thing to cook?"}"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Anything involving RAW chicken. Ick. I'm usually picky and buy boneless skinless chicken breasts or cutlets, so the touching is minimal. "}"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">What is your favorite local restaurant and what is one you are dying to try out?</span></b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We live in a small town in northwest Indiana. My favorite local restaurant is called Mi Ranchito. It is a family owned Mexican restaurant that has the best chips and salsa plus margaritas of course! We have an upscale restaurant called McVey's that I'd love to try and have a date night with my husband there sometime. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Music and food go together so beautifully. You are hosting a dinner party, what would be on your playlist? </span></b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Themed music. A lot of my events focus around holidays or birthdays. So Christmas events will have Christmas music, and so on. If it's just me cooking, I'll have praise music on. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">What would you choose to be your last meal on earth? </span></b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Everything on the menu at any mexican restaurant, a pizza buffet, baklava, a dessert table, donuts, iced coffee, bread and butter, spinach and artichoke dip, buffalo chicken dip.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">What are you currently reading? </span></b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I don't read :P
It's true. Between three kids, two businesses, and a very active gym life, I hardly have time to sit down. If there's ever quiet time, I'm usually found browsing Pinterest. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">What is your favorite Kitchen Gadget?</span></b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">My favorite kitchen item is my kitchenaid mixer. I love to bake desserts and am recently starting to make bread so when I bought it a few years ago, my cooking life was forever changed. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8QklrioZUkyf3T0WPATqXF2Q9M1vtui6WmOfknzGJGMr2eeYhn2WT10wMbe4V6kpseSRosLpblavGR_kN0lfUE_tLICPAS_rftYIiIDZH4DooLnYdiys7bn7GPOc1ZhyphenhyphenufH5Fuo7VDtoL/s1600/15224609_10102042409397302_1535307022_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8QklrioZUkyf3T0WPATqXF2Q9M1vtui6WmOfknzGJGMr2eeYhn2WT10wMbe4V6kpseSRosLpblavGR_kN0lfUE_tLICPAS_rftYIiIDZH4DooLnYdiys7bn7GPOc1ZhyphenhyphenufH5Fuo7VDtoL/s640/15224609_10102042409397302_1535307022_o.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Do you have a signature go-to dish?</span></b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Tacos, haha. It sounds super basic but I usually have all the items I need to make it between my pantry and fridge. Just brown up some ground turkey, start some black beans, cut up the toppings and it can be done in half an hour. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">What is your favorite thing about your hometown? </span></b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I live in Lowell, Indiana. What I love most is the small town feel. We don't have any huge chain stores, so it's not at all congested and I love that. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Do you have a favorite meal from your childhood and do you cook it today? </span></b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">My mom was a very good cook and involved me and my sister in the kitchen a lot. She never used recipes, just sort of always winged it. The meals I make now that reminds me of my mom is lasagna and meatloaf. She always could throw those meals together pretty quickly and on a budget, so I love to cook both for my family. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Top 3 Movies of all time? </span></b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Matilda, Bring it on and Enough. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">What was your happiest moment in life? </span></b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The birth of each of my three children. All I ever wanted to be was a mom, so it's such a great pleasure to have my babies and to be able to stay home and raise them.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Where do you do your grocery shopping? </span></b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I do all of my shopping at Aldi and Costco. Aldi is mostly for weekly items, dairy, produce, fruit. Costco is about once every 3-4 weeks and we stock up on dry goods and meat. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">What is your favorite guilty pleasure when it comes to food?</span></b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I love dips! Spinach artichoke, cheese dip, spinach dip, all of them! I can't hardly control myself at holiday parties with all the yummy appetizers. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Do you have Culinary Resolutions that you would like to accomplish this year? </span></b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I definitely need to add a few different meals into our rotation. Sometimes I get in a cooking rut and just rotate the same few meals. My family doesn't complain, but I know they'd like some different things. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>One word that best describes you is: </b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;">BIG!</span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Let me explain. I do everything over the top. Whether it's gifts or decorating or kids parties, I go big always. I don't really have a slow down or minimal mode. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">And now for your favorite recipe:</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;">My favorite recipe is a copycat of an Olive Garden soup. I also like to sub cheese tortellini for the gnocchi.
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.cinnamonspiceandeverythingnice.com/olive-garden-chicken-and-gnocchi-soup-copycat/" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Olive Garden's Chicken Gnocci Soup </span></b></a><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">INGREDIENTS:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">3 tablespoons butter</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">2 tablespoons olive oil</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">3/4 cup onion, diced</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">1/2 cup carrots, diced</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">1/2 cup celery, diced</span></div>
<div class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-5" itemprop="ingredients" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">4 cloves garlic, minced</span></div>
<div class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-6" itemprop="ingredients" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">coarse salt and fresh black pepper</span></div>
<div class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-7" itemprop="ingredients" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1/3 cup all-purpose flour</span></div>
<div class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-8" itemprop="ingredients" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">4 cups chicken broth</span></div>
<div class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-9" itemprop="ingredients" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1 + 1/2 cups half & half</span></div>
<div class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-10" itemprop="ingredients" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">2 cups cooked white meat chicken, shredded or cut into small bites</span></div>
<div class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-11" itemprop="ingredients" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1 pound potato gnocchi</span></div>
<div class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-12" itemprop="ingredients" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">3 cups fresh baby spinach, stems removed</span></div>
<div class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-13" itemprop="ingredients" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil</span></div>
<div class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-14" itemprop="ingredients" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">fresh grated Parmesan and/or Romano, for serving</span></div>
<div class="h-4 strong" id="zlrecipe-instructions" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: 0.4px; line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">INSTRUCTIONS:</span></div>
<ol class="instructions" id="zlrecipe-instructions-list" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.4px; line-height: 1.5em; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin: 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3em; vertical-align: baseline;">
<li class="instruction" id="zlrecipe-instruction-0" itemprop="recipeInstructions" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style-type: decimal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In a large soup pot or Dutch oven heat the butter and oil together over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, celery and garlic. Season with salt and pepper and cook until tender over medium-low heat about 10 minutes, stirring often.</span></li>
<li class="instruction" id="zlrecipe-instruction-1" itemprop="recipeInstructions" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style-type: decimal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sprinkle the flour into the pot and stir into the vegetables, cook 3 minutes, stirring often. Stir in the chicken broth 1 cup at a time, followed by the half & half.</span></li>
<li class="instruction" id="zlrecipe-instruction-2" itemprop="recipeInstructions" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style-type: decimal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Add the cooked chicken. Bring up to a simmer and maintain for 20 minutes stirring often. Season with salt and pepper to taste.</span></li>
<li class="instruction" id="zlrecipe-instruction-3" itemprop="recipeInstructions" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style-type: decimal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Cook the gnocchi separately according to package directions. Add them to the soup along with the spinach. Simmer until spinach is wilted. Stir in basil. Serve with grated cheese.</span></li>
</ol>
<div class="h-4 strong" id="zlrecipe-notes" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.4px; line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
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<div class="h-4 strong" id="zlrecipe-notes" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.4px; line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small; letter-spacing: 0.4px;">Notes: recipe </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small; font-style: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.4px;">Copyright ©2013 Cinnamon Spice and Everything Nice by Reeni Pisano All Rights Reserved</span></div>
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This has been the most beautiful Autumn here in Ohio. It is the middle of November and I am sitting outside watching the boys play as I type, no jackets needed. I am sure it won't be lasting but I am enjoying every second of it while I can! I know I have been a stranger around here for some time, but life has FINALLY begun to settle down. Between my broken leg, pregnancy, a new baby and moving into a new home I have felt like I could hardly catch my breath. It was a whirlwind for sure! Well this year both Jackson and Owen are in school full time leaving me with just one little guy running around. I forgot how easy having one child was- or actually it was probably never easy when I only had one. But now in comparison to three, one is a piece of cake... at least most of the time. Haha! We have settled into a routine of storybooks, daily hikes in our woods, and lots of make believe. I have been enjoying my days with Aaron so much. It has been wonderful having this one on one time together, just me and him. He is such a joy! But now it is also time for me to get back into doing those things I enjoyed in my spare time way back when I actually HAD free time. And that includes blogging again! I have missed it so much and am beyond excited about reviving My Retro Kitchen!<br />
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This recipe came about on accident (but isn't that how some of the best recipes are created?!) I started out prepping the makings of my favorite stew, browning meat, chopping veggies, when I realized the bag of potatoes I thought I had in the pantry were actually used a few nights before. Aaron was napping so there was no running out to the store, I needed to make due with what I did have on hand- a couple of sweet potatoes and a butternut squash. And as a matter of fact, they sounded delicious! <br />
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This recipe not only turned out fantastic but I knew it would be the perfect recipe to bring My Retro Kitchen back to life again. I was dying to share it with all of you! It is hearty, satisfying and a perfect meal on these crisp fall evenings. Be sure to serve it with some warm, crusty bread and lots of butter. You're going to want it to sop up the delicious broth. Enjoy!<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Rustic Beef Stew with Butternut Squash, Sweet Potatoes and Cabbage</span></b><br />
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2 tablespoons olive oil<br />
2 onions, chopped<br />
4 large carrots, 2 diced and 2 cut into 3/4-inch<br />
chunks<br />
4 celery stalks, 2 diced and 2 cut crosswise into 3/4-inch slices<br />
2 sweet potatoes or yams, peeled and cut into 1 1/2-inch chunks<br />
3 cups butternut squash, peeled and cut into 1 1/2-inch chunks<br />
1/2 head of cabbage (about 6 cups), halved and then sliced into strips<br />
2 lbs beef, cut into 2-inch chunks (chuck steak or bottom round works well)<br />
coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper<br />
1/4 cup all-purpose flour<br />
1 tablespoon butter<br />
4 garlic cloves, minced<br />
3 fresh sprigs of thyme, or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme<br />
1 bay leaf<br />
1/2 cup red wine<br />
8 cups beef or chicken stock<br />
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Sprinkle the meat with a generous amount of salt and pepper. Place the meat into a gallon-sized plastic bag with the flour and seal shut. Shake well to coat all the meat in the flour. Heat a large dutch oven or other heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Coat the bottom of the pot with the olive oil and heat. Working in batches, add the beef to the pot, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. You want to brown the meat, not steam it! Brown on all sides, about 8-10 minutes, then transfer to a plate. Repeat until all the meat has been browned. <br />
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Add the butter to the pan and melt. Add the onions, garlic, diced carrots, and diced celery. Cook on medium-low heat until just beginning to caramelize, about 10 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste and the thyme sprigs and cook for 2 more minutes. <br />
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Turn the heat up to high and slowly pour in the red wine, scraping the bottom of the pan with a wooden or silicone spoon picking up all the wonderful browned bits stuck to the bottom. This will give your stew a nice, rich flavor. Return the meat to the pan and add the broth to just cover the beef. Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer for two hours. <br />
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Add the butternut squash, sweet potatoes, cabbage, carrot and celery chunks to the pot with the meat and cook until tender, about 30 minutes. Remove the bayleaf and the stems of the thyme (or do as my mom would do while I was growing up.... keep them in and whoever got the bayleaf was the lucky one to do the dishes! Ha!) Taste the broth and add more salt if needed. <br />
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Serve with lots of crusty bread and butter to sop up all the delicious broth. <br />
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Amiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01682300095543726598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4977476716086367111.post-68560674318458393832014-10-14T11:34:00.001-04:002014-10-14T11:34:25.890-04:00Raspberry Almond Brown Sugar Muffins<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikar9pwLF8fM7cQSia2r6xn1m286GO8s9tpqLgeQQsU_YdjGI-hTu5GtaxifGvLwDNsHqdwW9S1JVEV7jvhsxKU1W1zPnnB_WOf2gHtASYaTgFMIRWmFGX-xj31dUDdwxvOZH6XolkDhoL/s1600/image2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikar9pwLF8fM7cQSia2r6xn1m286GO8s9tpqLgeQQsU_YdjGI-hTu5GtaxifGvLwDNsHqdwW9S1JVEV7jvhsxKU1W1zPnnB_WOf2gHtASYaTgFMIRWmFGX-xj31dUDdwxvOZH6XolkDhoL/s1600/image2.JPG" height="514" width="640" /></a></div>
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Wow, this pregnancy was a rough one for me in regards to wanting to do anything in the kitchen. Just the mere thought of doing any sort of cooking or baking made my stomach turn. I would do it because well, my family had to eat. But it wasn't the wonderful, enjoyable hobby that I have had my whole life. And unfortunately for that my blog posts suffered as well. I am sorry and hope that you will all welcome me back with open arms! </div>
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Now that our sweet Aaron is here, my aversion to all things "kitchen" are finally gone! Halleluiah! Last week as a part of <a href="http://www.babywearinginternational.org/events/international-babywearing-week/" target="_blank">International Babywearing Week</a> we went to <a href="http://www.rosbycompanies.com/berryfarm.htm" target="_blank">Rosby's Berry Farm</a> and picked the most beautiful raspberry's! </div>
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The harvest was bountiful and the berries sugary sweet. I picked three quarts of them! So today I celebrate with Raspberry Almond Brown Sugar Muffins. These muffins are so amazing. Seriously, they have the best of everything- sweet-tart raspberries and the crunch of the almonds and brown sugar topping make for the most perfect muffin. Being a nursing mom made it totally acceptable to have two this morning right?! </div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Raspberry Almond Brown Sugar Muffins</span></strong><br />
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2 cups all-purpose flour<br />
1 teaspoon baking powder<br />
1 teaspoon baking soda<br />
1/4 cup shaved almonds<br />
1/4 teaspoon salt<br />
1 large egg<br />
1 cup packed light-brown sugar<br />
1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted<br />
1 cup milk<br />
2 teaspoons vanilla extract<br />
1 cup raspberries (fresh or frozen)<br />
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Position the rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 400 degrees F. Lightly grease or line with paper baking cups (makes 12-18 muffins).<br />
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In a large bowl, blend together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, almonds, and salt. In a medium bowl, beat the egg and brown sugar together until thick. Beat in the butter, milk and vanilla extract. Combine the two mixtures, blending until the dry ingredients are just moistened. Gently stir in raspberries. <br />
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Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin cups, filling each 3/4 full. Sprinkle the Streusel Topping (recipe follows) over the tops of the muffins. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until a cake tester or wooden toothpick come out clean. Cool in the pan on a wire rack for 5-7 minutes. Serve warm, or transfer to the rack to cool completely. <br />
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<em><strong>For the Streusel Topping</strong></em><br />
1/2 cup all-purpose flour<br />
1/4 cup brown sugar, packed<br />
1/2 stick unsalted butter<br />
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon<br />
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Combine all of the ingredients in a food processor and pulse until crumbly. Alternately you can mash the ingredients with a fork. Sprinkle over muffins immediately before baking.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjugW542Qryktzisie9308UTHfinb98RXH14MEW-Sf2h6SJ3iM3H4X21aIC55R4-3bBsSHT42MLOzM2PkM3oluMdGkOL6ytKUvcPo37Jn1hlrdW-4N0lbHKRyLVZsXFQxot-V87Uuqrdci3/s1600/image1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjugW542Qryktzisie9308UTHfinb98RXH14MEW-Sf2h6SJ3iM3H4X21aIC55R4-3bBsSHT42MLOzM2PkM3oluMdGkOL6ytKUvcPo37Jn1hlrdW-4N0lbHKRyLVZsXFQxot-V87Uuqrdci3/s1600/image1.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://culinaryarts.about.com/od/muffinsquickbreads/r/cinnamnstreusel.htm" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><strong><em>Streusel Topping recipe courtesy about.com</em></strong></span></a><strong><em> </em></strong>Amiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01682300095543726598noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4977476716086367111.post-7447372976085404712014-03-28T09:09:00.002-04:002014-03-28T09:10:23.127-04:00New Day Cleveland Apperance- Good Morning Idaho! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Yesterday was back in the studio for my 8th time- can you believe it?! I'm not exactly sure how I scored such an awesome little gig, but I am loving it! New Day Cleveland is a lovely show, and has seriously the nicest people. </div>
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For my segment yesterday we were planning for Lent- Meatless Meal for a Family of 4 for under $20. Challenge taken! Breakfast for Dinner is an awesome way to stretch the bank, and who doesn't love it?! My boys would eat it every night if it was up to them. Good Morning Idaho is a recipe that takes a fun twist on the traditional eggs and hash brown breakfast. </div>
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Here I am prepping for the show- we go live in half an hour! </div>
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My sister came along for some moral support and to help me out getting things together before the show. She is one of my favorite people in all the world and I am so lucky to have her not only as my sister but also best friend favorite Partner in Crime! Here we are hanging out in the Green Room backstage waiting for the show to begin. Perfect opportunity for a Sister Selfie! </div>
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Here is a link to my clip, if you were unable to watch live! Aside from a stubborn potato that refused to come off my cast iron skillet, everything went incredibly smooth. I think I am beginning to get the hang of this....<br />
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Oh, and at the 5:21 mark you get to see a perfect shot of my very pregnant belly :) So now I have two children that have made an appearance with me! lol. Love it.<br />
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<script height="364px" src="http://player.ooyala.com/iframe.js#pbid=b248f00b9d6e4d7ba21cbc796a85f61c&ec=ZsZTNmbDpoDwqBX1e4ppBCTL8TNGNzw7" width="649px"></script><br />Amiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01682300095543726598noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4977476716086367111.post-23037223185836756002014-03-26T10:18:00.000-04:002014-03-26T10:18:12.838-04:00I get to be a TV Star tomorrow! Set your DVR's, I am back on <a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=182010988499470" href="https://www.facebook.com/newdaycleveland">New Day Cleveland</a> tomorrow morning at 10:00am (I will be the first one up, so tune into the very beginning!) This week they gave me a new challenge for Lent- <em><strong>Meatless Meal for 4 for under $20</strong></em>. Our family LOVES breakfast for dinner and I am sharing a favorite of ours- "Good Morning Idaho", which is eggs baked in a potato! It is a fun twist and not to mention completely delicious! See you tomorrow on <a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=74758790293" href="https://www.facebook.com/Fox8NewsCleveland">Fox 8 News</a>!<br />
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Amiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01682300095543726598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4977476716086367111.post-55565345605320477652014-01-30T11:21:00.002-05:002014-01-30T11:25:28.888-05:00Hearty Vegetable Beef Soup<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My mom makes the best soup. Seriously, she should go into business selling it- everyone would go crazy over it! There isn't a soup that comes out of my mom's kitchen that isn't amazing. Her Vegetable Beef Soup is a huge family favorite. Super simple to make, but jam-packed full of flavor, it is comfort food at it's best. This one is nice and hearty due to the large chunks of beef and loads of veggies. My mom always serves the large chunks of meat on the side, giving you the option of putting some in the soup and the other enjoying with good mustard, making it a satisfying dinner with just a hunk of butter bread. <br />
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With the ridiculous Polar Vortex we have been experiencing here in the Midwest, this is exactly the kind of food you want to be eating. Put the pot on the stove in the afternoon and just let it simmer away throughout the day. By dinner it will fill your home with the most wonderful smells and make your kids and husbands asking for dinner the moment they walk in the door from work and school. if you are unable to stay home to keep an eye on your pot of soup, a crock pot on low for the day works just as nicely. A nice hot bowl of soup says "I Love You" in the most snuggly, delicious way.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Hearty Vegetable Beef Soup</strong></span><br />
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2 32-oz Beef Stock (or 32-oz beef stock AND 2 tablespoons of beef bouillon dissolved into 4 cups of water) <br />
1 beef chuck roast (1.5-2 lb) excess fat removed and cut into very large chunks<br />
1 bay leaf<br />
1 large onion, chopped<br />
3 carrots, peeled and sliced into coins<br />
3 stalks of celery, chopped<br />
3 russet potatoes, peeled and cubed (about 1 cup) <br />
1 cup corn (frozen or canned is fine)<br />
(you may add any other veggies you like or have on hand, green beans, peas, cabbage, tomatoes...) <br />
ketchup<br />
Salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste<br />
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In a large stock pot combine the beef, stock, chopped onion and bay leaf and allow to simmer over medium high heat for 45 minutes. Add the rest of your veggies, and a good sized squirt of ketchup- I know crazy ingredient! But it rounds out the flavor of the soup perfectly. You can also use 1 tablespoon of tomato paste, but trust me, ketchup is the secret ingredient! Allow to simmer for at least an hour, stirring occasionally. <br />
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Taste and season accordingly with salt, pepper and additional ketchup if desired. The longer the soup simmers the more it will thicken. I prefer a heartier soup, almost like a stew, making it a bit easer for my children to eat by themselves. But if it reduces a little too much for your liking or if you prefer a thinner soup, add a bit more water until you get the desired consistency.<br />
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Serve the meat alongside the soup with a good mustard for dipping. One of my boys likes his meat all on the side with loads of mustard and ketchup. My other son likes his meat totally in his soup. My husband and I like some in and some out! Enjoy with crusty bread slathered in butter. <br />
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Amiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01682300095543726598noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4977476716086367111.post-33367109321941905902013-11-07T10:29:00.000-05:002013-11-07T13:42:22.340-05:00Herby Chicken Salad<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Summer may be over, but that doesn't mean your herb gardens are all done! Here in Ohio I am usually lucky enough to keep most of my herbs (even under the snow) until February or March! I always hope they will survive year round since it is <em>soooo close</em>, but we always seem to get a crazy ice storm close to spring that knocks them out. But since they hang on so long, be sure to use them to their fullest! This chicken salad is so vibrant and fresh tasting due to the brightness of the fresh herbs. I love it! You could use dried herbs, but it wont be quite the same- so snip, snip, snip while you still can! </div>
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This recipe is wonderful as a sandwich, add a scoop to a leafy salad in place of dressing, or even as an appetizer with crackers..... or like me, just with a fork right out of the dish.</div>
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Allowing it to sit in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving will really bring all of the flavors together and make the herby flavor pop. But if you just can't wait, that's ok too. It will still be scrumptious. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Herby Chicken Salad</strong></span></div>
2 cups chopped skinless, boneless rotisserie chicken breast <br />
1/4 cup mayonnaise<br />
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice <br />
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt <br />
fresh ground black pepper, to taste<br />
3 Tablespoons chopped fresh herbs, such as dill, flat leaf parsley, chives, rosemary <br />
1/4 cup chopped celery <br />
1/4 cup finely chopped red onion <br />
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In a medium sized bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and herbs.<br />
In a large bowl combine the chicken, celery, and red onion. Pour the dressing onto the chicken mixture and stir to coat. Chill until ready to serve.<br />
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<br />Amiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01682300095543726598noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4977476716086367111.post-70317479376047120002013-11-04T10:36:00.002-05:002013-11-04T14:12:02.601-05:00Cheesy Quinoa BitesSo it isn't a huge secret that I am not all that crazy about quinoa. I <em>want</em> to like it, I really do! It is so crazy good for you, it is supposed to aid in migraine health, and your body burns it as fast as you eat it. But for the most part, it just isn't one of my favorite things. That is until I discovered these guys! A blog I love, So Very Blessed, created these little gems and oh man are they delicious!! They are crispy on the outside, creamy on the inside and JAMPACKED with flavor! What I really love about this recipe, is how customizable it is. You can switch around the ingredients for totally different flavors- add pepperoni and mozzarella cheese and now you have quinoa pizza bites, use ham, diced chicken and Swiss and <em>voila!</em> you have Cordon Bleu bites. A bit of corn, black beans, chilies and cilantro and now they are Southwestern! These cheesy ones I feel are the "base recipe", and from there the sky's the limit! Be sure you check out <a href="http://www.soveryblessed.com/quinoa-bites/" target="_blank">So Very Blessed</a> to see all the many flavor combinations she has come up with! I've made each and every one and we LOVE them all! The kids can't get enough of them either, making it even better. They make an awesome snack, appetizer or side dish. I've even served them alongside a salad for a satisfying dinner. No matter how you serve them, they will get gobbled up as fast as lightening!<br />
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<em>I normally make the quinoa bites in my mini muffin pan, but this last time, I had extra mixture left over so I made a few patties in my muffin-top pan and they were fantastic! They would make a great "burger". In these pictures I had a used a quinoa/brown rice blend because that was what the market happened to have at the time, and they were just as yummy.</em> <br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Cheesy Quinoa Bites</span></b><br />
Recipe courtesy <a href="http://www.soveryblessed.com/2012/01/03/cheesy-quinoa-bites/">So Very Blessed </a><br />
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Makes: ~ 28 bites<br />
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Ingredients<br />
2 cups cooked quinoa (I cook my quinoa in low sodium chicken broth) <br />
2 large eggs <br />
1 cup shredded carrot <br />
2 stalks green onion, diced <br />
2 cloves garlic, minced <br />
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro <br />
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese <br />
2 Tbs all-purpose flour <br />
1/2 tsp seasoning salt <br />
1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper<br />
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Instructions<br />
1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees. <br />
2.Mix together quinoa, carrot, egg, green onion, garlic, cilantro, cheese, flour, salt and pepper. <br />
3.Distribute mixture into a (well!) greased mini muffin tin, filling each cup to the top (1 heaping Tbs each). <br />
4.Bake for 15-20 minutes.<br />
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<em>We are big dippers in our house- the more sauces the better! Ha! Our favorites are honey mustard dressing (pictured), BBQ sauce, frank's hot sauce, ranch/blue cheese dressing and for the pizza bites, spaghetti sauce of course!</em> <br />
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Amiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01682300095543726598noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4977476716086367111.post-59800239218030980382013-11-03T18:01:00.000-05:002013-11-03T18:01:20.327-05:00Break a Leg..... literally. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So if you don't follow me on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/myretrokitchen" target="_blank">facebook</a> or <a href="http://instagram.com/myretrokitchen" target="_blank">Instagram</a> you may have been wondering just where I have been for the past few months. Welp, on August 29th, while hiking with my 2 1/2 year old, I slipped on a patch of slick mud and fell HARD, breaking both my tibia and fibula. Talk about an insane experience- one that never wish to relive again! <br />
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Our hike started out so perfect. It was a beautiful late summer morning. Owen and I didn't have anything to do, so out to experience some nature was in order! We headed over to one of our local Metroparks trails, one that I have been hiking my entire life. It is directly behind my parents house where I grew up and I knew these trails inside and out. <br />
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We planned on taking the paved trail, but just past the wooden decking we happened upon a rocked path that was full of about a hundred baby monarch butterflies . They must have just hatched and were fluttering all around us! It was so amazing, I can still hear Owen's squeals and laughter. So we kept following the tiny pretty little guys on the trail.....<br />
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These little butterflies leading us off the main trail, onto the dirt path now remind me of Will-'o-the-Wisps, supernatural spirits or fairies that attempt to lead travelers to stray off of the beaten path.... the silly things we think of when we are laying flat on our back like this for 3 weeks. lol<br />
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We had hiked about a mile and were turning back when I noticed just off the trail, the creek and a HUGE rock bed screaming at us to come throw a few. <br />
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<em>About 100 yards past this spot is where the accident happened.....</em></div>
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There was a narrow foot path leading down to the creek. Owen's little legs were tired, I had just popped him on my back and figured I would let him down once I got to the creek. That way he wouldn't stumble on any roots or rocks in our way. *doh*<br />
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Like a cartoon character, my feet hit the slick mud and came up from under me and down I slammed. HARD. The sound of my bones breaking was so loud, there was no mistaking what had just happened. In a panic I started screaming for help, trying to get the attention of the two hikers we had passed only 10 minutes before. But my fear made Owen even more scared and he started to panic as well. Immediately I knew I needed to calm down so that my sweet boy wouldn't be afraid. Thank the Lord Owen wasn't injured at all, not even a bump. Knowing he was safe, I kept him strapped to me....all I needed was him running off or falling and hurting himself too. <br />
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Luckily I had my phone with me and I was able to call 911. They helped me get ahold of Scott at work and he rushed there in lightening speed. While waiting for the paramedics and my husband to arrive, those two hikers DID end up coming back the way they came- which I found out is something they <em>never</em> do. They hike the lake every week and always go all the way around. But today, they said that something told them to just turn around and head back. <em><strong>Thank you, Lord</strong></em>. <br />
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I am SO very grateful to those men. Right away they helped me get Owen off my back then one stayed with us to keep Owen occupied throwing those (darn) rocks while the other went up to the trailhead to help the paramedics locate me. <br />
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The Fire chief and another fireman found me first and Scott wasn't very far behind. It took a good while for them to figure out how to get me out of there; the trail wasn't wide enough for the ambulance and there were huge power towers in the way for a life flight helicopter. But eventually, 2 hours after I fell, with the help of 8 paramedics, firemen, park rangers and police they carried me out of the mud and into the back of the fire chiefs truck. On the positive side, Owen was beyond THRILLED that he and daddy got to ride in the park rangers police car through the woods to the ambulance and was proud to show off his Honorary Park Ranger Badge when they met me in the hospital. <br />
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I got sent for x-rays and the doctor determined that I had a fractured fibula and a displaced tibia, which means that the bone snapped in half and the ends were no longer lined up. Thankfully they knocked me out so they could line the bones back up and get my leg in a cast until surgery. The following day I was admitted into surgery and am now the proud owner of a titanium rod and four screws- the boys think it is quite cool that I am a bionic woman now! <br />
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Over the course of the past 66 days I have had 4 different casts, a blood clot (which is now gone, thank goodness!) and WAY too much bed rest. It is amazing just how hard life is when something like this happens. I am so grateful for all of the family and friends that stepped in to help us get through this time. Scott's work was SO understanding and he was able to stay home for the first week and a half to not only care for me, but both our boys as well. Once he went back to work, my sister stepped in and cared for Owen for another week and a half in her home so I could get the rest I desperately needed. We were blessed with so many meals, gift baskets overflowing with goodies, and tons of cards and pictures to brighten my mood. We were surrounded with so much love and through my darkness I saw the many, many blessings God gave us. <br />
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I have learned that the little things become the big things when so much is taken away from you- driving, cooking (I went 38 days without cooking- the longest ever in my life!), shaving, showering <em>standing up</em>, painting your own toes (thank you Adrianne and my niece Anna for taking care of that for me!), unloading the dishwasher, carrying things while walking (crutches make this super tricky!), putting your children to bed and needing to do pretty much everything sitting down! <br />
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Little by little life is getting back to normal. About three weeks ago I was finally given the OK to drive again- after 57 days not driving let me tell you how amazing that felt!! I am still in a walking cast, but fingers crossed I will be rid of crutches on the 10th. Goodness am I tired of those things!! So if you can spare some extra prayers please keep sending them my way!! Thank you friends! <br />
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Amiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01682300095543726598noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4977476716086367111.post-38333410544742401902013-08-27T16:06:00.000-04:002013-08-27T16:36:51.306-04:00Cinnamon-and-Raisin Muffins<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hello friends! Goodness it feels good to be back and writing. I decided to take the summer off from blogging to spend some much needed quality time with my family. But now with my oldest back in school and only one little guy at home with me now, I have been so antsy to get back in the swing of things. Breaks sure can be nice, gives the perfect recharge to the soul! And now I have a head FULL of recipes I cant wait to share with you all! <br />
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When Jackson gets home from school he is absolutely <em>famished</em>. A full day of school is hard work!! Baking gives me wonderful quality time with Little O and I love having special treats at home for when Jackson gets off the school bus. He is going to be thrilled to see one waiting for him on the kitchen table this afternoon!!<br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Cinnamon-and-Raisin Muffins</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>recipe slightly adapted from 1001 Muffins by Gregg R. Gillespie</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>makes 10 muffins</em></span><br />
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1 1/2 cups All-Purpose flour<br />
2 teaspoons baking powder<br />
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon<br />
1/2 cup raisins<br />
1/4 teaspoon salt<br />
1/2 cup packed brown sugar<br />
1 large egg<br />
1/4 cup butter, melted<br />
1/2 cup milk<br />
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Position the rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 375 degrees F. Lightly grease or line with paper baking cups ten 2 3/4-inch muffin cups. <br />
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In a large bowl, blend together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, raisins, and salt. In a medium bowl, beat the sugar, egg, butter, and milk until smooth. Combine the two mixtures, blending until the dry ingredients are just moistened. <br />
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Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin cups, filling each about three-quarters full. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until a cake tester or wooden toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean. Cool in the pan on a wire rack for 5-7 minutes. Serve warm, or invert onto the rack to cool completely. <br />
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Delicious slathered with butter and a bit of jam!<br />
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My taste tester approves! Owen gobbled his muffin up in no time and kept telling me how yummy they were. Big hit! He's pretty stinking cute too, huh? :)Amiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01682300095543726598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4977476716086367111.post-78759468895782957812013-05-17T10:26:00.001-04:002013-08-27T16:37:32.079-04:00Incase you missed it! My friends at New Day were nice enough to make me a YouTube video of my appearance yesterday so I could share it here for all of you. So just incase you missed it, or live outside the viewing area, here you go! <br />
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On a side note... do you follow me on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/myretrokitchen" target="_blank">Facebook</a> or <a href="http://instagram.com/myretrokitchen#" target="_blank">Instagram</a>? If not, please come on over and add me to your favorites and I will be sure to follow you back!! If I am not posting on here, I am still most definitely posting on one or both of those places! I am a picture taking addict, so Instagram is my new favorite thing in the world. Instant gratification! But I warn you, it is mostly pictures of my awesome boys and family; you can get a glimpse into my life through my photographs. To find me you can either click on the links I just posted or look on the right sidebar and there are buttons over there as well. I look forward to getting to know you all a bit better! Come and say hi!!<br />
<br />Amiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01682300095543726598noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4977476716086367111.post-13934530182148645312013-05-16T21:37:00.000-04:002013-05-16T21:37:22.636-04:00Zucchini Pancakes on New Day Cleveland<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It was back to the studio today cook with my favorite television host, David Moss on <a href="http://fox8.com/2013/05/16/may-16-2013-2/">New Day Cleveland</a>! With Summer only a wink away, we went with a family favorite recipe, <a href="http://myretrokitchen.blogspot.com/2010/08/moms-zucchini-pancakes.html">Zucchini Pancakes</a>. This recipe is a special one to me. It is one my mom has been making for years and years and just the smell of them brings back so many special memories of vacation on the beach, in OBX and dining all together around a huge table, laughing and sharing stories. It is so cool how a simple recipe can do that to you! Food is so much more then just <em>food</em>!<br />
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Have I ever mentioned how much I love what I do? Goodness, talk about a rush! This is my 5th time on the show, and yet a part of me still can't believe that it is real. I truly am blessed. And now on to the recipe.... <br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Zucchini Pancakes</span></b><br />
1/3 cup Bisquick<br />
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese<br />
1/8 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper<br />
2 eggs slightly beaten<br />
2 cups zucchini, shredded <br />
chives, chopped (optional)<br />
butter for frying<br />
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Mix first three ingredients. Stir in eggs until moist. Fold in zucchini. Fry patties until brown.<br />
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*I like to keep an oven proof dish in the oven on warm and put the pancakes in there as they cook. Just be sure to keep them loosely covered with foil so they don't shrink up or dry out. Diced tomatoes are also a nice addition. Just be sure to deseed them. You don't want a whole lot of tomato, just enough for flecks of color and a bit of flavor. <br />
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Amiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01682300095543726598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4977476716086367111.post-10057780849348902942013-05-06T16:54:00.002-04:002016-11-16T14:21:17.968-05:00Italian Sausage Stuffed Cubanelle Peppers <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is a yummy and super easy meal that is perfect for a weeknight. You can easily prepare these peppers the night before and then throw them in the oven to bake when you get home from work cutting down on your time even more. I call for Cubanelle peppers which are one of my favorites! They have a mild heat yet taste sweet at the same time, especially after cooking. But if you prefer a spicier pepper, Hungarian Hot peppers are a great substitute. When I make these, I like to use a combination of Cubanelle peppers and mild Italian Sausage. It has just the right amount of spice, but mild enough for the kids to enjoy. Jackson my 6 year old couldn't stop raving about these at dinner. He even ate the pepper! It was too cool. <br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Italian Sausage Stuffed Cubanelle Peppers</span></strong> <br />
4 Cubanelle Peppers (banana or Hungarian Hot peppers will also work nicely)<br />
1 lb ground Italian Sausage (sweet, mild or hot are all delicious choices! Use your favorite)<br />
1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs<br />
1/4 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped<br />
1 egg, beaten<br />
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese <br />
1/2 jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce<br />
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9x13 pan with pam, and cover bottom with a bit of spaghetti sauce, just to keep everything moist. Sauté onion and minced garlic in 1 tablespoon olive oil until soft and translucent. Add the ground Italian sausage and sauté until no longer pink. Pour pork mixture into a large bowl and add bread crumbs, salt and pepper, 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley and one beaten egg. Stuff them into halved cubanelle peppers (banana or Hungarian hot are also good choices). Top with remaining sauce and shredded mozzarella. Cover and bake for 50 minutes, uncover and bake an additional 10 minutes. Serve alongside a nice green salad and some crusty bread, enjoy!<br />
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<em>I apologize for the not s great photograph. I am having problem with the memory card for my camera. So iphone it was today!</em> Amiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01682300095543726598noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4977476716086367111.post-20188031986580325692013-01-22T17:03:00.001-05:002013-01-23T17:34:46.948-05:00My New Day Cleveland Video with the recipe for Tortellini Soup! <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Jhc3NjBqok8" width="560"></iframe><br />
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What a rush! Those (almost!) 7 minutes go by so, so fast! LOL. But today was fun, fun, fun and I am so thrilled I have been blessed with this opportunity to work with such a wonderful group of people. I have decided that I could truly get used to this life (grin).<br />
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This video was made for me by New Day Cleveland <a href="http://fox8.com/2013/01/22/january-22-2013-2/">website</a>. Thank you!<br />
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And here is the recipe for my delicious Tortellini Soup from the show. You will love it, I promise!<br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Tortellini Soup</span></b><br />
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3 cups beef stock (chicken or vegetable may be substituted, but the beef gives a nice rich flavor)<br />
3 cups water<br />
1 ear corn, kernals cut off and “corn milk” scrapped*<br />
1 medium zucchini, chopped into bite-sized pieces<br />
1 medium onion, chopped<br />
1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained<br />
1 package (9 ounces) refrigerated cheese tortellini<br />
1 cup green beans, trimmed and cut into 1 inch pieces<br />
1 tablespoon fresh basil, minced (or 1 teaspoon dried)<br />
1 tablespoon fresh oregano, minced (or 1 teaspoon dried)<br />
salt and fresh ground black pepper, to taste<br />
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<i>*Quick tip to Easily cut corn off the cobb</i>- A bundt pan is the best bowl for this job! It has a handy hole to hold the corn steady and then the bowl for all the kernels to fall into. Gotta love dual purpose items! <br />
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Turn your bundt pan right side up, place the cleaned corn cob upright with the tip of corn resting in the hole of the pan. Slowly slide the knife down the sides of the corn, cutting off a section at a time. Once all the corn is removed, turn your knife around so the flat side is facing the cob. <br />
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Repeat the process, scraping down on the cob collecting all the sweet corn milk in the bowl. This is special stuff, you definitely don’t want to just throw it away! It is sweet, juicy and will give a great added flavor to the soup. <br />
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<i>Directions for the soup:</i><br />
In a large stock pot over medium heat, add one tablespoon extra virgin olive oil and sauté onion and zucchini until tender and beginning to caramelize. Add remaining ingredients and simmer until vegetables are tender. Add tortellini’s and simmer 7-8 minutes or until they are fully cooked and floating to the top. Serve with nice crusty butter bread.<br />
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<i>The original link to this recipe is <a href="http://myretrokitchen.blogspot.com/2011/09/tortillini-soup.html">here</a>.</i>Amiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01682300095543726598noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4977476716086367111.post-74904577764439744572013-01-21T22:01:00.000-05:002013-01-21T22:02:15.297-05:00Four Times a Charm!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>Yay!!! New Day Cleveland tomorrow!! </i><br />
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Your support is wonderfully encouraging, so if you are local and would like, tune in at <b>10:00am to Fox 8</b>! I will be sharing my own recipe of <i><b>Tortellini Soup</b></i>- perfect for this crazy cold weather we have been having! Goodness gracious, it is suposed to be 13 degrees tomorrow (it was only 50 degrees two days ago~ geez, crazy Cleveland weather!) <br />
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If you aren't local but still would like to see little me, I will be posting the YouTube video later in the day. Thank you so much and wish me luck! <br />
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<i>Preview of my yummy <b>Tortellini Soup!</b></i></div>
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<br />Amiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01682300095543726598noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4977476716086367111.post-29147719919562306432013-01-14T16:29:00.001-05:002013-01-14T16:33:54.301-05:00Creamy Salsa Chicken in the Slow Cooker<div>
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Hi friends! Here is another great crock pot recipe to add to your weekly rotation. It is awesomely delicious and, just what makes crock pot recipes so popular, it comes together in under 10 minutes. It will make your kids crazy happy to eat dinner and if you serve it at a party, I can guarantee it a huge hit. What I love most about it is how versatile it is. We love it tossed in a salad with rice for homemade burrito bowls, wrap the chicken in tortillas for a delicious taco, or when served alongside tortilla chips it makes a great dip for parties.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5YT2dlIWJheQFHV9JTjqATrhQ5uNGfMQCjqwh3_zZQFBnz7iQAUHlZTIQGGQ-t248tjC4s4XG0egxPkRCUdZYvxL0FBNK-xr_u9rdg2nOi98xJz8cRbDtdcd7tHniYzJHc_XqgHXWwMmC/s1600/3bcaa452599811e2963d22000a1f9cad_6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5YT2dlIWJheQFHV9JTjqATrhQ5uNGfMQCjqwh3_zZQFBnz7iQAUHlZTIQGGQ-t248tjC4s4XG0egxPkRCUdZYvxL0FBNK-xr_u9rdg2nOi98xJz8cRbDtdcd7tHniYzJHc_XqgHXWwMmC/s1600/3bcaa452599811e2963d22000a1f9cad_6.jpg" /></a>When I was making Creamy Salsa Chicken this last time I found an awesome product, Greek Cream Cheese. It is 1/2 the fat of regular cream cheese, 2x the protein and full of all those wonderful live active cultures. I gave it a whirl and loved it! I hope it wasn't a fluke finding it in the store because it was so great. Definitely right up our alley. I'm not being paid to promote this stuff- i just love it and wanted to share! Using the greek cream cheese even made this a healthy dish, total bonus. But everything in moderation is really the key, right?! <br />
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On a side note, guess who is invited to be on television again! <a href="http://fox8.com/category/on-air/new-day-cleveland/">New Day Cleveland</a> invited me to share my recipe for Tortellini Soup on <b><i>January 22nd at 10:00am on channel Fox 8</i></b>! What a cool way to start my new year :) Time to go dress shopping!<br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Creamy Salsa Chicken in the Slow Cooker</span></b></div>
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3-lbs boneless skinless Chicken (either breasts or thighs is fine)<br />
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1 (15 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained</div>
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1 (15 1/2 ounce) can black beans, drained</div>
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1 (15 ounce) jar chunky salsa </div>
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1 medium onion chopped</div>
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1 (8 ounce) block of cream cheese </div>
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Spray the inside of the slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Place chicken in the bottom of the slow cooker and top with the drained corn, black beans and chopped onions. Pour the salsa on top. Cook on HIGH for 4 hours or LOW for 6. One hour before it is finished cooking, carefully pull the chicken out of the slow cooker and shred. Put the chicken back into the slow cooker and gently stir to combine. Place the block of cream cheese on top of the mixture and replace the lid. After 30 minutes stir the cream cheese into the chicken mixture until fully combined. </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; clear: left; color: black; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">This recipe is so versatile! It is delicious served over rice, wrapped in a tortilla, topped onto a salad or even as a dip with chips. Enjoy! </span><br />
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Amiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01682300095543726598noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4977476716086367111.post-22517691252656014512013-01-02T14:54:00.001-05:002013-01-02T19:05:59.203-05:00Hot Pepper Jelly Pork Shoulder in the Crock Pot <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Happy New Year my sweet friends!! I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas season filled with friends and family, traditions kept and new memories made. I know I did! This year was all about our boys, and taking a little break from blogging was a nice way to decompress and keep my mind focused on the true meaning of the season. But now that it is all over I am SO excited to get back into it all! I know I missed you- and I sure hope you missed me! </div>
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Being it is January and the New Year is upon us, I thought it fitting to share a recipe for pork that we have been going wild over lately! It <i>is</i> supposed to be good luck to eat pork on New Years day, but I think all of January is good enough too ((wink, wink)). Right now you can also usually find the pork shoulder (also labeled pork butt) marked down after the big holiday making it the perfect time to stock up. Our grocery store had them buy one get one free! I <i>LOVE</i> when that happens! Being an already budget-friendly cut of meat, this is a huge savings. </div>
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This recipe takes Hot Pepper Jelly, which is a bit sweet but also packs a nice bite from the hot peppers, some brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and a good squeeze of Dijon mustard making a sauce which tenderizes and flavors the meat so, so, so amazing. We are seriously addicted to this recipe and I know you will be too! </div>
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<i>**I've been asked on my facebook page if this is a spicy dish. It actually isn't hot at all. You get all the flavor of the hot peppers, but none of the heat. You may get a zip here and there depending on the heat of the jelly you use. But I wouldn't call it hot. Both of my boys can eat it and love it. **</i></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Hot Pepper Jelly Pork Shoulder in the Crock Pot </b></span><br />
1 (3-5lb) pork shoulder (also labeled as the butt)<br />
1 large onion, chopped<br />
1 Cup hot pepper jelly<br />
1/4 Cup Worcestershire sauce<br />
2 Tablespoons brown sugar<br />
2 Tablespoons Dijon mustard<br />
salt and cracked black pepper to taste<br />
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Spray inside of crock pot with nonstick cooking spray. Place the chopped onion in the bottom of the crock pot. Rinse the pork shoulder, pat dry and put into the crock pot on top of the onions. Season WELL with salt and pepper- don't be afraid of the salt and pepper folks! Whisk the jelly, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar and Dijon mustard together and pour over pork. Do not be tempted to add any water or liquid to the crock pot. It isn't necessary because the jelly melts down and the pork creates its own juice while cooking. <br />
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Cook on HIGH for 5-6 hours or on LOW for 8-10. Around the last hour or so of cooking time, you want to check your meat by taking the lid of the crock pot off and giving the pork a pull with a fork. It should be fall-apart tender. If it isn't, let it cook until it is! It is well worth the wait. When it is at fall-apart stage you can carefully remove it from the crock pot, and using two forks, pull the meat apart and then add it back to the pot for an additional 30 minutes to absorb more of the juices. Lately I have been just pulling it gently apart into chunks while inside the pot instead of shredding it outside so we can have larger pieces. But both are fine- do to your preference! <br />
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Serve alongside rice, or mashed potatoes with lots of juice on the side to pour on top. You can also stuff into buns or mini rolls for sliders- kids love this! And the left overs we always use in soft taco shells for carnitas. With so many options, this is sure to be a hit in your home! <br />
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<br />Amiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01682300095543726598noreply@blogger.com5