February 20 2011

Spinach and Bacon Quiche

I made Paula Deen's Spinach and Bacon Quiche for a recent luncheon and it was so delicious and easy, I just had to share!  I made two and there was a lot of bacon to cook.  I put it on a baking sheet and broiled it in the oven which was super fast and clean!  My guests loved it and my children ate the left overs.  It was a huge hit! 

February 05 2011

Super Easy for the Super Bowl: Blue Cheese Dip

Posted by Amanda

The other day I was asked, "What's your favorite part of the Super Bowl- the game, or the commercials?" My response- "uh, the food?"  Umpteen layer bean dips, nachos, artichoke dip, chili cheese dips, little smokies, pizza, burgers, brats, ugh.  The Super Bowl is two days away and I'm already dreading the post-bowl bulge.  So I've decided to bring a "dish" that I can eat, guilt free, and still have the satisfaction of sinful Super Bowl fare.  Deborah got me totally addicted to Buffalo Wing Pretzel Chips.  A few years ago I made Ina Garten's buffalo chicken wings with blue cheese dip and it (the blue cheese dip) was amazing!  I'm going to make the dip, slice some celery sticks, and bring a few bags of Buffalo Wing Pretzel Chips.  Totally delicious, relatively low fat/calorie, snacky, festive, and super easy!  No cooking. No mess.  YAY! 

(But just in case you want to go all out, few things are better than this Buffalo Chicken Wing Dip)

Blue Cheese Dip

1 1/2 cup crumbled gorgonzola or other blue cheese (I hear Roquefort is also a good one)

1 cup good mayonnaise

1/4 cup sour cream

2 tablespoons milk

3/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt

3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

February 01 2011

Brophy Bros.

Loving my time in Santa Barbara.  I was "lucky" enough to have a local recommend Brophy Bros. to me for lunch.  I loved the casual and lively atmosphere.  I sat at the bar, ordered their famous salmon salad (loved it), had a delicious glass of Edna chardonnay (from San Luis Obispo) and enjoyed my view of the Santa Barbara mountains, the ocean and very cute bartenders.  The place was jammed and there were oyster shooters, martinis & bloody mary's lined across the bar.  This was lunch, not dinner!  I was very impressed with this kind of lunch behavior and highly recommend you put it on your list of stops if ever in Santa Barbara.  Cheers!

January 22 2011

Delerium Tremens

Reviewed By Mark: Beer Enthusiast

So it snowed here today. A lot. There's a good chance there's snow on the ground where you are. Not a problem. Warm up to a Belgian friend of mine. Delerium Tremens. This fine Belgian ale never fails on a cold day. It's reminiscent of warm banana bread, fresh from the oven. Notes of citrus linger as sip by sip, winter doesn't seem so cruel. And with a hefty 8.5% ABV, Tremens is guaranteed to thaw even the most frigid of souls. So find yourself one this winter and dream of pink elephants.

Cheers!

December 17 2010

Pizza Dough Recipe

On a cold night, next to the fire, few things are more satisfying than a fresh baked, homemade pizza and glass of wine.  

Julie, from Vancouver BC, shared her favorite recipe for homemade pizza crust- Wolfgang Puck Pizza Dough Recipe.  I made it the other night for my family, and it was delicious and SO easy! (and remember, I don't cook so when I say easy, I mean EASY!!)  I bought a variety of toppings (sweet Italian turkey sausage, pepperoni, tomatoes, broccolini, and my children had a blast rolling out the dough and adding their own toppings. Thanks Julie!  

Buon appetit!

~Amanda

December 07 2010

Pecan Snowdrops

Some years it seems like I have all the time in the world to make batch after batch of assorted and intricate Christmas cookies.  This year, however, I'm lucky if I get dinner on the table let alone bake tins of sweet gifts, so I'm keeping it simple, really simple.  My favorite Christmas cookies, pecan snowdrops, are also the easiest (imagine that) and can be perfectly packaged in small foil candy cups and packed in a pretty box.  Simple ingredients, no decoration, pretty presentation, and totally delicious.  DONE!!

Pecan Snowdrops 

3/4 cup butter, at room temperature

1/3 cup powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/8 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

3/4cup finely chopped pecans

Powdered sugar for dusting

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.  Lightly grease baking sheets, or use parchment-lined baking sheets (or use your Silpat).  In a large bowl, using an electric mixer or a spoon, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.  Add the vanilla, salt, flour, and nuts and mix well.  Roll the dough into 3/4 inch balls between your palms, and place on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1 1/2 inches apart.  One sheet at a time, bake the cookies for 15 to18 minutes, or until light brown.  Transfer to racks to cool slightly.  Place the still-warm cookies on a sheet of parchment paper and heavily dust with powdered sugar shaken through a sieve. Let cool completely.  Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

Makes about 3 dozen.

November 20 2010

The BEST White Chicken Chili

I have been obsessed with chicken chili over the last few weeks and while I love dining out, I have not found a place that serves chicken chili as good as this homemade recipe.

WHITE CHICKEN CHILI