Slow Cooking

Cooking isn’t my specialty, I’ve said it before (BJ’s Restaurant is a Must Try!) and I’ll always admit to it. Though recently I’ve been making the effort on learning how to cook. I’ll be in my apartment at Savannah at Park Central in my kitchen with a cook book in hand reading diligently and taking notes.

While we all cannot be Bobby Flay or Betty Crocker, there are easier ways to mimic their techniques.  Now I know you’re wondering how you mimic a Top Chef and a Top Homemaker?  Easy! You use a slow cooker!

I’ve really become a better cook ever since I discovered a slow-cooker. You literally jam all the ingredients in the pot and like the infommercials say “you set it and forget it.” I think my favorite recipe to make when I’m mimicking Bobby Flay is a BBQ Pork Sandwich. Here’s how to do it using a slow cooker!

Ingredients

A Different Way to Have Guacamole!

Memorial Day is here (well next weekend) and it’s the beginning of Summer! We can finally enjoy sparkling pools, grilling out and hot weather without Winter creeping up on us! What social gathering are you planning; are you staying at Savannah at Park Central and enjoying the holiday or going out with friends? No matter what you’re doing, here’s a recipe you can bring anywhere!

Guacamole with Cumin Dusted Tortillas

* 4 ripe Hass avocados, peeled, pitted, and chopped
* 1/2 red onion, chopped
* 1 jalapeno pepper, minced
* 2 limes, juiced
* Salt and pepper
* Chopped fresh cilantro leaves, to taste
* Cumin Dusted Tortillas, recipe follows

Combine all ingredients in a molcajete and mix to a chunky consistency. Season, to taste, with salt, pepper, and cilantro. Serve immediately with cumin tortilla chips.

Cumin Dusted Tortillas:

* Peanut oil, for deep frying
* 12 flour and/or blue corn tortillas, cut into quarters
* 1 tablespoons ground cumin
* 1 tablespoon kosher salt

Heat 2 inches of peanut oil in a high-sided saute pan to 360 degrees F.

Fry the tortillas, in batches, until light golden brown. Drain on paper towels and season immediately with cumin and salt.

Easy Desserts to Impress Your Neighbors!

I love having get togethers in my apartment with neighbors and friends. There’s something about being in your own home with company you enjoy. I also love the fact that I don’t have to leave when it’s all over. Recently I tried a recipe from Ina Garten, and everyone was so impressed, they thought it took so long to make. It’s actually very easy and so delicious!

Chocolate Orange Fondue

* 7 ounces good semisweet chocolate
* 1/3 cup heavy cream
* 1 1/2 teaspoons grated orange zest
* 1/2 teaspoon instant coffee granules
* 2 tablespoons orange-flavored liqueur (recommended: Grand Marnier)

Directions

For serving: pound cake, doughnuts, long-stemmed strawberries, bananas or pretzels

Chop the chocolate and place it in a heat-proof bowl set over a pan of simmering water. Add the cream, zest, coffee, and liqueur and stir constantly until the chocolate is melted and smooth. Transfer the mixture to a fondue pot and serve warm with pound cake, doughnuts, strawberries, bananas or pretzels.

Recipe found on Food Network

Photo by Lin Pernille Photography

BJ’s Restaurant and Brewery is a Must Try!

Cooking isn’t one of my specialties, I hate to say it but I really only can cook toast (if that’s even cooking).   On the up-side I love to try to new restaurants, I’m always up for something new. Recently while out with some friends we decided to try BJ’s Restaurant and Brewery and were pleasantly surprised.  It’s definitely a place that we have to come back to now.

If you like your pizza Chicago style (deep dish) then this is the place to be.  If you don’t then order another great choice off the menu like their Thai Shrimp Lettuce Wraps or the Parmesan Crusted Chicken. The atmosphere is great and it’s very relaxing which is something my friends and I love.  Where’s a place your friends and you just like to relax at for some fun?

Photo by matthewf01

Celebrate St. Patty’s Day With a True Irish Feast

Beef in Guinness

Ingredients

2 1/2 lb/ 1 kg shin of beef
2 large onions
6 medium carrots
2 tbsp seasoned flour
a little fat or beef dripping
1/2 cup dry cider
1/2 pt/ 250 ml/ 1 cup Guinness with water
sprig of parsley

Directions

Cut the beef into chunks and peel and slice the onions and carrots. Toss the beef in the flour and brown quickly in hot fat. Remove the beef and fry the onions gently until transparent. Return the beef and add the carrots and the liquid. Bring just to the boil, reduce the heat to a very gentle simmer, cover closely and cook for 1 1/2 – 2 hours. Check that the dish does not dry out, adding more liquid if necessary. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve with plainly boiled potatoes.

For More Irish Recipes

Too Many Decisions!

I stood in the grocery store coffee isle for what seemed like an hour. Full bodied French Roast, Mild and Mellow Hawaiian Blend, Breakfast Blend, Columbian, Costa Rican… How is a girl to decide? I see coffee buying almost like purchasing wine. I don’t go for the very cheep boxed variety but also see no need in wasting money on the top of the line variety because I’m just not sure if my tastes are that sophisticated. So that narrows my choices down to about 100. And I know I like a couple of them but I’m always one for trying something different. Why would I buy the same brand every time and miss out on all the other options. Well Rachel Ray Magazine has done a taste test of supermarket Coffee… here are some of the best of the best.

BEST INSTANT: Maxwell House Instant Coffee
Our tasters described this dark-colored quickie as full, smooth and nutty. “It tastes like coffee!” enthused one surprised cynic; another called its vanilla zing “heavenly.”

BEST DECAF: Dunkin’ Donuts Dunkin’ Decaf
Tasters commented on its “nutty, round” and even “cake-ish” flavor, calling it a “sweetie-pie pick-me-up” and the “perfect sip.”

BEST CLASSIC: Starbucks French Roast
Our panelists would brew this blend anytime of day, claiming it’s a “solid wake-me-up coffee,” perfect for “some midday oomph” or a “delightful nightcap.”

Hopefully this will make the search for a good cup of Joe easier.

See all the winners here

Image Source

The Truth About Soy

Ok there’s Soy Milk, Soy Yogurt, Soy Bacon, Soy Cheese, Soy Ice cream, Soy Bars, Soy Burgers etc. etc. I’m sure you get the point that soy has caught on as a great substitute for meat and dairy. And while Soy is marketed as good for you there are some things you should know.

Soy critics point to the fact that soybeans, as provided by nature, are not suitable for human consumption. Only after fermentation for some time, or extensive processing, including chemical extractions and high temperatures, are the beans, or the soy protein isolate, suitable for digestion when eaten.

Vegetarians who consume tofu and bean curd as a substitute for meat and dairy products risk severe mineral deficiencies. The results of calcium, magnesium and iron deficiency are well known; those of zinc are less so.

Soy also contains goitrogens – substances that depress thyroid function.

So while Soy had been showing up big as a natural healthy alternative be aware to only consume it within moderation.

Time for Superfoods!

It’s hard to believe but you can lower your cholesterol, fight off free radicals, reduce your risk for heart disease and cancer and improve your mood just by eating superfoods. These foods have lots of nutrients and are packed with disease fighting powers. Here are some of the top superfoods. Be sure to get your daily dose.

Beans
Blueberries
Broccoli
Oats
Oranges
Pumpkin
Salmon
Soy

See more Superfoods here.

Super Bowl XLIV: Touchdown Blonde Brownies

Ingredients:

* 2 cups brown sugar
* 3/4 cup (6 oz) butter or margarine, softened
* 2 eggs
* 2 teaspoons vanilla
* 2 cups self-rising flour
* 12 ounces semisweet chocolate morsels
* 1 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

Preparation:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large mixing bowl, cream together brown sugar and margarine; beat in eggs and vanilla until combined. Stir in flour, chocolate morsels, and nuts. Spread in greased and floured 9 x 13-inch pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes. Watch carefully to avoid over baking.
Makes about 24 brownies.

Checkout this recipe and many more here.

1,000 Calories Or More Meals To Stay Away From

If you are looking to start off the year right, then you should probably stay away from these foods.  I have to admit everything on this list is a favorite for me.  I actually just visited Chili’s last Friday.  I didn’t get the meal on this list, bit I am sure I got something that is pretty close in calories.

This list alone will be a shocker and may get you on the right path if you are not already there.  It certainly woke me and now I know what my body is taking in, I am less likely to eat these foods.

Check out the shocking list here.

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