Happy Halloween!!!

Wow, it has been a while again!

First, HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!! I hope everyone has some trick-or-treaters (I don't yet!).

Second, how did this much time pass between now and my last blog post? I guess this fall has been busier than I realized but, thank goodness, I am back!

I tried a delicious new recipe tonight. I saw it in my favorite place for new recipes, Cooking Light Magazine. I am trying to eat healthier and make some meals without meat. This is definitely a delicious one! I used whole wheat flour tortillas instead of corn (I'm not a big fan of corn tortillas)  and a chipotle chili instead of adobo which I couldn't find at the store. I'd also recommend using 1.5 or 2 cans of black beans if you want extra protein.


                  

Yummy, yummy in my tummy! :)

Fall inspiration

I think this cooler fall air is inspiring the cooking bug inside of me! I am excited to have my drive back!

Today I baked pumpkin bread today and it is delicious! I first blogged the recipe for this pumpkin bread last year on 10/17/10. It is really easy to make and a great snack, breakfast, or just a treat! (However, I need to get a new bread loaf pan because my large loaves always turn out undercooked and gooey in the middle.)

I also talked to my best friend today and she said she is making this apple pie recipe today! It is next on my list to make....

Happy fall :)

Bye, bye summer....

Wow, I have been such a slacker lately! It has been a busy summer and I have not sat down to blog in a while! That is not to say that I have not cooked or eaten anything delicious in a while, I just haven't taken the time to write about it.

I started this blog as a way to spread my love of cooking and eating yummy things. However, along the journey, I realized that I really enjoy writing, regardless if anyone reads what I write. My blog has become a creative outlet for me and I am glad to have made my way back to it (finally)!

Taylor was here this weekend and we are always looking to try new breakfast dishes. I found this one, had some extra bread left over, and thought it sounded really good. So, we tried it.

The recipe recommends white bread but we used wheat rolls and it was delicious, so I recommend using your favorite kind of bread for this recipe. It is also wonderful if you top it with a little powdered sugar and some maple syrup. Here it is: French Toast Souffle.

Yummmmm.....now, it is time for all things pumpkin as fall is upon us... :)

Taylor's Pizza

Taylor was here last week between his clinical and going back to school. We (he) cooked several delicious meals during his time here.

Probably the best thing he made was Garlic Chicken Alfredo Pizza. It was creamy and cheesy and yummy! We used the Whole Wheat pizza crust recipe that I have written about previously. We also substituted Half & Half instead of Light Cream.

Thanks for all your cooking :)

Winchester

I am attending a continuing education course in Winchester, VA this weekend.

The drive here from Fredericksburg was BEAUTIFUL as I passed bright green pastures, pretty mountain views, and sprawling vineyards. Winchester is a quaint, historical town with an amazing walking mall through the center of downtown.  Upon recommendation from my co-worker, Stacey, I went to Brewbakers for the shrimp bisque. I was a bit skeptical at first mention but it was absolutely delicious! The menu says that the bisque is "The best we make, try it and you will be hooked forever". Definitely true!

I would love to come back for a romantic weekend getaway :)

DC weekend

It has been a busy June as I have been out of town 3 weekends in a row! It has been great but I am ready to have a quiet weekend at home!

Last weekend, Morgan, Matt, and I had a reunion in DC. We had a great time; of course, it is always wonderful to catch up and hang out with such good friends!

I went to the Museum of American History on Friday to see the exhibit on Julia Child. It was awesome! I really enjoyed it and am inspired to cook (again)! I also learned that Julia's middle name was Carolyn...small world. Here is a picture of Julia's kitchen:

We ate some delicious food while I was there, but I think my favorite place we visited was a wine bar called Cork. Morgan and I both had scrumptious sparking wine. We all shared a cheese plate and french fries. Morgan and I tried the Grilled Angus Flat Iron Steak with roasted baby potatoes, julienned snow peas,  and anchovy vinaigrette and the Pan-Roast Organic Chicken Breast with black pepper velouté, spinach, and smashed potato. It was sooo good! We will definitely be returning there during our next visit!

Also, a get-together with the 3 of us MUST involve cupcakes....so, we went to Baked & Wired in Georgetown. They have amazing cupcakes in a wide variety of cake and frosting flavors. YUMMY! :)

Strawberries & Meatballs

After being busy and feeling uninspired to blog, I'm baaack!!!

Taylor, some friends, and I went strawberry picking this weekend at Miller Farms Market. It was a bit muddy due to recent rain but we had a great time and got a lot of juicy, delicious strawberries. They also have blackberries that will be ready to pick soon, lots of herbs and plants for sale, and various other items for sale in their market section. 

We also bought some fresh ground beef at Olde Towne Butcher and made homemade meatballs. We added powdered ranch mix and Panko bread crumbs to the meat. We then added spaghetti sauce with a dash of Italian seasoning. We served the meatballs open-faced on Challah rolls that we bought at the Farmer's Market from the Artisan Bread Company. We topped them with a bit of shredded cheese. They were so yummy!

It's good to be back :)

Foodie

I will admit it, I am a foodie. I love food! I love to eat it, cook it, and learn about it....

I love trying new restaurants and foods, I shamelessly make yummy noises when eating, and I (embarrassingly, at times) take pictures of food at restaurants and at home.

I experienced several culinary delights this past week. The first was a delicious ice cream cake made by one of my co-workers. It had layers of cookie dough ice cream, peanut butter cup ice cream, Reese's Pieces, Reese's cups, and an animal cracker crust. Yummy!

I also made several homemade pizzas this weekend. I wanted to make different kinds so I made mini-pizzas. Clockwise from L-R: Jamaican jerk chicken with onions and spinach, Buffalo chicken with onions and bleu cheese, and chicken with onions, garlic, and rosemary. They were great!

Happy cooking :)

Spring is in the air...

(And so is pollen!)

After a weekend course in Baltimore, I enjoyed the beautiful spring weather the past 2 days. It was very relaxing! The trees in our area are out in full bloom and are really beautiful right now! They smell good too.

I tried a new recipe as I was having a craving for cookies. It was really easy and light and made delicious cookies. You can find the recipe here.

So happy that spring is here! :)

April is here!

Taylor is here visiting this weekend and we decided to be adventuresome and cook a big breakfast today.

We made an easy quiche recipe since Taylor decided he likes it after trying it at my Grandmother's house. Here it is:

Easy Quiche

1/2 cup melted butter or margarine
1.5 cups milk
1/4 teaspoon salt (optional)
dash of pepper
1 cup shredded swiss cheese (or cheddar)
1/2 cup ham or bacon, cut into small pieces
1/2 cup spinach, cut into small pieces
3 eggs
1/2 cup biscuit mix (like Bisquick)

Mix melted butter, milk, salt, pepper, eggs, and biscuit mix in a bowl with whisk. Pour into greased 9-inch pie plate. Sprinkle with cheese, meat, and spinach, pushing items gently below the mixture with a spoon. Bake at 350* for 30-45 minutes. Allow quiche to set 10 minutes before cutting slices.


We also tried a new biscuit recipe inspired by ones we had during our stay at a B&B in Asheville. It is an adaptation of this recipe:

4 cups Bisquick
1 cup sour cream
6 oz ginger ale
**We added 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese to the batter**

Bake at 400* for 8-10 minutes.

Yummy :)

One last glimpse of winter...

Mother nature decided to play one last trick on us and brought some snow to the Fredericksburg area overnight. I have to admit, it was very pretty to wake up to, though I am glad that it has all melted and disappeared now. Here are a few pictures I took:

I always like to make up new recipes and I tried out a new one this weekend. I made calzones with homemade whole wheat pizza dough, tomato sauce, meatballs cut into small pieces, fresh spinach chopped, mixed italian cheese, and italian seasoning. They turned out to be delicious and large so the 2 that I made will end up being 4 meals for me!

Yummy :)

I'm baaack!!

After a month-long hiatus, a "Spring Break" road trip across NC and TN, a computer repair, and the beginning of Spring, I'm back!

Right outside my apartment :)

Of course, there have been some delicious food experiences along the way!

Here are a few of my favorites:

*San Antonio's Restaurant, Charlotte, NC-modern Mexican with fresh, delicious dishes. Some are a little spicy so beware, but everything was really good. My mouth is watering just thinking about it! For more information: http://www.centraarchy.com/samm/

*Miller's Country Cafe, Christiana, TN-country cookin' just like it is from Grandma's kitchen. Wonderful gem in a tiny town outside of Murfreesboro. Definitely worth the drive! I recommend taking a dessert home with you because you will likely feel like you are going to pop after finishing your meal! http://www.millersgrocery.com/

*Tupelo Honey Cafe-delicious southern food created from fresh, local ingredients served in a "old fashioned tea room" building in downtown Asheville, NC. Definitely recommend checking it out! http://www.tupelohoneycafe.com/

*French Broad Chocolate Lounge, Asheville, NC-OMG, I love chocolate so this place was a must-visit on our trip to Asheville! It was wonderful! Fresh desserts, homemade truffles, and delicious homemade hot chocolate served in a relaxing atmosphere which features live music on Friday nights. Amazing!!! http://frenchbroadchocolates.com/

*Wright Inn, Asheville, NC-Taylor and I spent a night at this B&B and it was wonderful! The innkeepers were very friendly and helpful, and the breakfast they served was awesome! Beautifully decorated in a funky neighborhood just outside of downtown. Recommend it rather than a hotel!
http://www.ashevillebedbreakfastinn.com/default.htm

It is good to be back :)

Weekend Cooking Adventures

Since I only work 4 days a week, I have a long weekend every week! I enjoy cooking on these weekends, trying new recipes, and stocking my refrigerator (or freezer) with meals for the coming week. 

This weekend I tried a new recipe for Butternut Squash Soup with Rosemary Ham. It was a very easy Cooking Light recipe that turned out pretty tasty!

2 12-oz. packages frozen butternut squash

1 cup chicken stock

2 Tablespoons cinnamon sugar

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1.5 cups diced ham

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 Tablespoon rosemary

Microwave squash in packages for 5 minutes until thawed. Combine with chicken stock, sugar, and black pepper in microwave-safe bowl. Heat for 3-5 minutes in microwave until heated through. Heat olive oil in pan over medium heat. Cook ham for 2 minutes until browned and add rosemary, cooking an additional 1 minute. Serve soup in bowls and top with ham mixture. Enjoy! :)

Sugar Cookies


I've had a package of sugar cookie mix in my pantry for a while. I meant to make them for Valentine's Day but that (obviously) didn't happen! So, I decided to make them this weekend. I think they turned out pretty well and definitely remind me of spring (which is coming soon, I hope)!

Eat up :)

Hybernating for winter

This past week gave a glimpse (more like a tease) of the spring that is to come. However, it looks like a last cold blast is coming to visit! After a long, tiring work week, I spent a lot of the weekend cooking up some delicious dishes to enjoy throughout the week.


*Buffalo Chicken Pizza-used a base of whole wheat pizza crust (see 9/19/10 post for recipe) topped with chicken marinated in buffalo sauce, tomato sauce, bleu cheese crumbles, buffalo sauce, and italian blend cheese. It was like a chicken wing, but better!


*Tandoori- Spiced Chicken- I found this recipe in the latest Cooking Light and tried it this week. It was quick and easy to make and tasty!


1.5 cups plain reduced-fat Greek yogurt
2 tablespoons grated onion
1 tablespoon ginger
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground red pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
3 garlic cloves, minced
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1/2 teaspoon salt
cooking spray


Combine first 8 ingredients with chicken in zip-top plastic bag. Marinate in refrigerator for 2 hours. Place chicken on pan coated with cooking spray. Broil chicken in lower third of oven for 15 minutes, turning after 7 minutes.


*Tacos-browned ground beef and tossed with taco seasoning and served over flour tortilla topped with taco sauce and cheese with a side of chips and salsa.


*Fantasy Fudge- Learned this recipe from my Mom and decided to make a batch to send to my best friend for a (belated) Valentine's gift. 


3 cups sugar
3/4 cup margarine
2/3 cup evaporated milk
1 12-oz. package semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 7-oz. jar Kraft Marshmallow creme
1 cup chopped nuts (optional)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Combine sugar, margarine and milk in heavy 2-1/2 quart saucepan; bring to full rolling boil on medium heat. Continue boiling 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat, stir in chocolate, marshmallow cream, and vanilla. Pour into greased 13 x 9-inch baking pan. Let cool and cut into 1-inch squares. Enjoy! :)


Up next, Ham and Butternut Squash Soup.... :)

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day to all my friends and family that I love!

In honor of the occasion, Taylor and I busted out the fondue set that I got for Christmas. We enjoyed chocolate fondue with rice crispy treats, bananas (for Taylor), pretzels, and heart-shaped big cookie. It was delicious!

Kiss (or hug) someone you love today! :)

Firebirds

Taylor and I went out for a Valentine's lunch today at Firebirds Wood Fired Grill.

The exposed wood, bold colors, stone columns, and beautiful tile make for a cozy, comfortable setting. The fireplace within the lounge invites you to enjoy a drink and stay a while. It is definitely an inviting restaurant! The extensive wine list and bar selections are impressive!

The open kitchen allows you to be privy to the open flames over which food is cooked, and smoky aromas waft throughout the restaurant. Taylor had the Caesar salad and the Firebirds Chicken Pasta with chile-asiago cream sauce, applewood-smoked bacon, green onions, and tomatoes. It was a very generous portion with just enough spice to wake up your mouth but not enough to burn off your taste buds. I had the Tortilla Soup and Pecan Crusted Trout with cilantro peach salsa served over tortilla slaw. It was a delicious combination of crunch and sweetness, mixed with the tanginess of the dressing on the slaw. (The bread was wonderful as well!)

We will definitely be going back :)

Empanadas

I found this recipe in my December Cooking Light magazine and it looked delicious so I decided to try making them!

Sweet potato and black bean mixture is placed into center of dough

Empanadas ready to go into the oven

The combination of sweet potatoes, black beans, green onions, and spices makes for a delicious and interesting mix of flavors and textures. They are fairly easy to make and certainly worth the effort!

Bueno :)

Chili Mac

Taylor and I discovered another restaurant gem in Fredericksburg last weekend. It is called the Otter House and more information can be found here. The menu is extensive and includes various hamburgers, sandwiches, salads, and soup dishes.

I tried the Chili Mac which was DELICIOUS! It consisted of a layer of homemade baked macaroni and cheese in the bottom of a bowl with homemade chili on top. It was like heaven in a bowl! I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Taylor had the Dirty Burger which was a burger topped with chili, cheddar cheese, and onion. It certainly did make a mess but tasted so good!

Apparently, the Otter House also is the best live music venue in the 'Burg.....We will definitely have to check it out! :)


Snowpeople pictures below to enjoy since we (FINALLY) got some white stuff!!!

Snow and soup

In honor of the snow that is currently falling outside, I would like to write a bit about one of my favorite winter meals.

Mmmmm.....tomato soup and a turkey sandwich! Perfect for a cold, snow night!

I can remember eating this meal, especially with grilled cheese, or oodles of noodles instead of tomato soup all the time when I was growing up! We enjoyed helping Mom make this meal and, of course, eating it!

Mmm, mmm, good :)

1.15.11

This turned out to be a very emotional and fun weekend!

First off, Taylor's grandmother lost her battle with cancer but is no longer suffering and is, no doubt, in a better place! Thoughts and prayers are with his family.

Secondly, it was Taylor's 24th birthday. He has begun to trust and enjoy my cooking so he had a long list of things that he wanted me to make for the weekend. Firstly, I made ham and pineapple pizza on homemade whole wheat pizza crust (see first post on 9/19/10 for info) for Friday night. It was delicious and 2 friends came over to enjoy it and play games! Then for Saturday, I made a delicious raspberry swirl cheesecake for Taylor's birthday which was inspired by this recipe in my Cooking Light magazine. It was very light and was very pretty (if I say so myself...)!

Mmmm.....

On Sunday we had homemade pierogis which were a ton of work but turned out to be pretty darn good! The recipe can be found here.  After making them on Monday, I froze them for the week, thawed them in the refrigerator, then re-heated them under the broiler with cheese and bacon on top. Taylor definitely enjoyed them :)

Taylor and I went out to Jake and Mike's for lunch on his birthday and enjoyed several specials for the Fredericksburg Restaurant Week. For starters we had Roasted Garlic and Tomato Bisque which was delicious. Then we shared a Cheeseburger with jack and cheddar cheese and a Panko-breaded chicken sandwich with bacon and swiss cheese. It was certainly "Unpretentious American Cuisine" and we will definitely be returning!

Then, Taylor caught me off guard and proposed! Of course, I said 'yes' and we are now officially engaged and couldn't be more excited! Part of his plan was including both sets of parents who surprised me in Fredericksburg and then accompanied us to dinner at the Melting Pot last night. It was certainly a great day and we were so happy to spend it with those we love!

Life is good :)

Here & Abroad Bakery

I shared a wonderful Saturday morning with a good friend in downtown Fredericksburg.

We decided to try a new place out and went to Here and Abroad Bakery. It is on Princess Anne Street tucked behind Hyperion Espresso and across from the Otter House Restaurant. It is a tiny place with friendly service, delicious pastries, and yummy hot and cold drinks. I definitely recommend checking it out!

We also went antiquing in downtown.....tons of fun to look for treasures! Great day :)

Long time, no blog

It has been a while! After a whirlwind 2 week Christmas break, I finally have time to sit down and update my blog! A lot has happened since I last blogged.....I drove to Greenville, NC then Charleston, SC; cruised to Nassau and Freeport in the Bahamas with my family for Christmas; drove back to Greenville then to Charlotte, NC to visit friends/family and back to Greenville to see Taylor's family; then (finally) back to Fredericksburg, VA.

Dressed up for formal night dinner on the cruise

Merry Christmas from the Bahamas

Of course, I enjoyed many culinary delights along the way. Here are a few of my favorite bites:

*Pinky's Westside Grill-Charlotte, NC
A sort of biker bar/deli/burger joint near uptown that has amazing and creative sandwiches. I had the Ding Dong Chicken that is Thai-inspired grilled chicken served on a bun, topped with crunchy peanut butter, sriracha hot sauce, and honey-cilantro slaw. It was different than anything I've had but definitely delicious! My friend had the Maddy Patty Melt which is a burger topped with grilled onions, 1000 island dressing, Swiss and American cheeses which is hot pressed between two pieces of Texas Toast. Yummy!

* Loco Lime Mexican Inspired Grill-Charlotte, NC
This Mexican joint serves fresh ingredients at reasonable prices. The Loco-Rita was awesome with just enough tequila and served in a delicious salt-rimmed glass. Mmmm.....For dinner I had a burrito which was filled with rice, refried beans, blended Mexican cheeses and chicken, covered with queso sauce and served with a side of guacamole, sour cream, pico de gallo and honey citrus cilantro slaw. It was HUGE but delicious and I ate the whole thing....So delicious!

*Capitol Ale House-Fredericksburg, VA
A cool restaurant and bar that features an incredibly large beer menu with 60 beers on tap! We have been there several times and have always had a great time and good food. Last night was no exception. I had a raspberry wheat beer which was awesome and I would definitely order it again. We had the Fried Pierogies for our appetizer. They were amazing and Taylor has asked me to make them homemade for him! I had the Lamb Burger which was a seasoned lamb patty topped with baby spinach, warm brie, and Dijon mustard on a flaky croissant. Taylor had the San Juan which was hot roast pork, melted pepper jack cheese, fresh avocado, and sweet red pepper relish on ciabatta bread. We definitely enjoyed everything!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and wish you all a healthy, happy new year! Happy 2011 :)