Asparcauliocoli - is this really a name?

Food - A recent trip to the Farmers Market and I walked away with a new breed of vegetable that I could not remember the name for. They said it was a cross between broccoli and asparagus, however it is shaped more like a cauliflower. So, I made up my up a name to cover all 3 of those vegetables. Vegetables are good for you, I thought I would give it a try. You can taste the broccoli, there is a hint of asparagus, and the texture does remind me of cauliflower - I like it. Grilled, sauteed, steamed, mashed - it caught on in a flash (oh wait, that's the lyrics to a song.) I think I will add this to my repertoire of vegetables. This is simply just another example of; With food, the possibilities are endless! If you have seen or tried this, let me know what the name is and give me your review on it.

Dish - Is this a case of "if you can't beat'em join 'em?" It was March 27, 2008 that Richie Sambora was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, with his 10 year old daughter, Ava Elizabeth, and his girlfriend in the car. Fast forward to September 26, 2008 (missed the 6 month mark by a day) and Heather Locklear was arrested, only it was for driving under the influence of prescription drugs. In either case, no one was injured, and Heather at least had no one in the car with her. But, come on people! I guess I didn't blog it right when I blogged it before, so I will blog it this time: Never, EVER, EVER, drink and drive or take prescription pills and drive! Call a taxi, or better yet, stay home or get help - it is only a phone call away!
http://photos.tmz.com/galleries/heather_locklear_arrest

Embellish - Respond to a friend in need without them asking for help.

Happy Birthday Baby (Dwayne is 27 today), gottcha on my mind!

Girls just wanna have fun!

Food - This past weekend I visited a friend in Warrenville, IL. And let me tell you, Cyndi Lauper's song "Girls just wanna have fun" was being sung in my mind. What do three women do when they get together you ask? A whole lot of talking, laughing, eating, shopping, drinking, and of course - solving world problems. I hate to say we managed to do all of them, except for the last one. My "find" for the weekend was a 1950 Betty Crocker Picture Cook Book, published by General Mills, Inc. This may not sound exciting to you, but for me this is truly a treasure! Minnesota is home to General Mills; this is a company that I have grown up with all my life and it is a company that has become an food icon.

What I love about this cook book is not only the usual abbreviations, simplified measures, oven temperatures, etc., found in so many cook books, it also gives you a glimpse into the Home of Betty Crocker Service, the Kamera Kitchen, the Terrace Kitchen, the Polka Dot Kitchen, the Kitchen of Tomorrow, the Tasting Bar and the Early American Dinning Room. ....ah, nostalgia at its finest! I think the world in which we live in makes us yearn for years gone by, simpler times, and this cook book provides that. It is packed with pictures showing you how to store sugars, wrap cheese, arrange your pantry, set a table, how to prepare food (with step by step pictures.) And since it is a cook book, and cook books are suppose to teach you how to cook, it is packed with recipes! The recipes range from simple basic recipes to preparing a feast. I have gotten carried away, I know this, but as I told you in my first blog: "The Tittle," - I love everything about food! And if you are a "foodie" you probably do too. If you have not had the privilege of reading this cookbook, try to get your hands on one. If you have a favorite cookbook, tell us about it.

Dish - Those blue eyes, you could get lost in them. But Paul Newman will be remembered for so much more than that. After his remarkable career in acting, he embarked upon a grocery line that started out with an oil-and-vinegar salad dressing and has since grown to include popcorn, sauces and brings in more than 250 Million dollars, all of which is given to charities. Newman and his wife celebrated 50 years of marriage in February. Here is a quote from Joanne about her husband: "Sexiness wears thin after awhile and beauty fades," Woodward has said, "but to be married to a man who makes you laugh every day, ah, now that's a real treat!"

Here's looking at you blue eyes ~ r.i.p.
http://www.people.com/people/package/gallery/0,,20229386_20219605,00.html

Embellish - Start every day with a smile.

Congealed salad

Food - How long has it been since you had a congealed salad? You know, this is the Jello salad that is made usually in a copper mold. Made using such ingredients as; gelatin, cottage cheese, pinneapple, water, mandarin oranges, knox gelatin...you get the picture. This is the type of dish/food I refer to as; "old lady food.". Translation - something "old people" like and something you swear you will never eat. Until that fateful day, that you realize you are now eating foods you never liked before, or you swore you were never going to eat - don't worry, it happens to all of us at some point in our lives.

I had my first "congealed" salad tonight since I was a little kid and I must admit, it sure looked purty! I can see why people like to make them, it makes them feel like they have created a work of art. The one I had was rather tasty, but you had me at the "congealed" part. Who, who, I ask, thought of that name to describe a food that we are suppose to like, yet alone love?

Dish - fall is here! While I hate that it is getting datk earlier and the fact that the cold weather will soon follow; there is a silver lining - fall TV line up has started.

Embellish - take a drive and see the leaves turning, breathe in the autumn air.

Our love affair with food

Food - Us foodies spend a fair amount of time thinking about, shopping for, and preparing food. And once it is prepared, we expend much thought in finding adjectives to describe the food. Listed below are many adjectives I use. I am sure you have your favorites. Post yours here!

Adjectives: Acidic, bitter, bland, devine, dry, flavorful, fruity, full bodied, heavenly, hot, juicy, luscious, mouthwatering, rancid, raunchy, pungent, rich, salty, savory, scrumptious, sharp, sour, spicy, strong, succulent, sugary, sweet, tangy, tart, tasty, unsweetened, yummy, zesty and as Dane Cook would say: De-li-cio-us!"

And we even go so far as to rate our food with names such; "Better than sex cake" and "Robert Redford dessert." Now, I'm not sure who all voted on the first one, not me. There are some desserts that I have eaten where I felt as though I had died and gone to Heaven, but, never have I had a dessert that I would rate "better than sex.". Now maybe if they were combined...okay, TMI, I know.

Dish - All this talk about the economy and the 700 Billion dollar bailout makes me and many of my friends say one thing - can't they just print more money? It is kind of like a kid saying to their parent, "you still have money, you have more checks left.". Heck, why not make it round it up to 100 Billion and give money to all the people who are loosing their houses. After all aren't we something like 1 Trillion dollars in debt? Are we honestly going to ever pay that back? And if so,how long is it going to take, and to whom? It all seems as though it is pretend. And we wonder with the Government spending like this, who is our role model of being fiscally responsible?
Don't get me wrong, I am not totally against the bailout. I think without it it got be disasterious, but I do think that there should be some plan of action that those who walk away with millions in their pockets - are prevented in the future.

Embellish - we all have the desire to do good things, sometimes we just make bad choices. Make the right choice today!

Food for the soul - Jenny McCarthy on OPRAH

Food - Preparing food doesn't have to be hard or laborious. One of my favorite things to eat is; grilled asparagus or steamed vegetables with a piece of grilled salmon or a piece of rotisserie/roasted chicken (white meat only for me, no skin.) Talk about 30 minute meal, this is about a 15 minute meal - can't get any better than that! This meal is light, fresh and healthy. Of course, we can always add a few calories by embellishing it with cheese, sauces, etc..if you want to - feel free.

Grilled Asparagus
Ingredients:
1 lb. fresh asparagus
olive oil
course sea salt and pepper

Wash and trim asparagus, pat dry. Place on a platter or cookie sheet and drizzle with small amount of olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill over over med-high heat for 5 minutes, rolling them over to grill thoroughly. Remove and serve.

Steamed vegetables
Ingredients:
1 bag of fresh pre-cut vegetables (in the produce dept); broccoli, carrots, cauliflower. I cheat, what can I say.
salt and pepper to taste
water

Open bag, wash vegetables and trim ends. Place vegetables in bowl with a small amount of water, sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Place bowl in microwave safe bowl, cover with vented lid and cook 4-8 minutes depending upon how firm/soft you want them. I recommend about 5 minutes. Remove from bowl and eat! Simple, easy, fresh!

Grilled Salmon
Ingredients:
2 - 4 salmon fillets
small amount of olive oil
salt and pepper
1-2 lemon wedges

Wash salmon fillets, pat dry. Brush both sides of fillet with olive oil, sprinkle with pepper to taste. Do not salt salmon prior to cooking it. Grill over med-high heat for about 2 minutes, turn 1/4 of inch to create profession looking marks, continue to grill for 2 minutes. Flip salmon fillets over, repeat above step. Total cooking time; approx 8 minutes. Remove from grill. Let each person salt their own fillet and squeeze fresh lemon juice over salmon before eating, if desired. Enjoy!

Dish - Jenny McCarthy was on the Oprah show today introducing and talking about "Warrior Moms." And I think the job Jenny McCarthy is doing is wonderful. It is nice to see people digging deeper in their souls and finding a purpose greater than themselves. Thanks to Jim Carey too; the guy that everyone thinks of as just a funny man, actually has a chance to highlight his "warrior" side. And last, but not least, to Oprah for setting the stage for bringing it to us.

I think all moms are warrior moms, as are dads. But, the one introduced today was faced with a challenge that most of us never even think about. I will not tell her story her, because I cannot due it justice, you will have to read it for yourself.
Read her story: http://www.oprah.com/slideshow/oprahshow/20080910_tows_monica/1

Embellish - Find the "Warrior" in you!

For the love of Pizza - Chicago Deep Dish Style

Food - I like a good pizza every now and then, but I love a GREAT pizza all the time. But, and there is always a but, sometimes they are hard to come by and then there are times when you stumble upon them. Well, I stumbled last night, in Chicago IL. Now I know, the first thought that popped into your mind was; is she okay? Trust me, after I wiped the sauce off my face, it was all good! Thanks for your concern.

The look of the pizza was unpretentious, and after one bite I thought; okay this is nothing special, but with each bite I took I soon realized I had been bitten. The bug; Lou Malnati's Pizzerias. The flavor of the tomato sauce exploded in my mouth and the crust - forget about it- I thought I was in New York. It is homemade-hand-tossed crust that ranks right up there with the best. And what I love; I can order it when I get home to Minneapolis, MN. You can even order a deep dish pan to cook it in! One unique thing about Lou's is they have collaborated with other "Chicago favorites" to make combo dinners - just for you! You can have Garrett's Popcorn, Portillo's Hot Dogs, Eli's Cheese Cake and many more. Oh, I forgot to mention, they have a killer salad too!

Their flavor offerings are:
Cheese -Fresh mozzarella and parmesan. Simplicity at its best.
Sausage -Try our world famous cheese with sausage pizza. A layer of lean sausage blended exclusively for Lou Malnati's that is placed across the entire pizza.
Roni -Think you've had a pepperoni pizza before, think again!
Veggie -A vegetarian's delight! Made with fresh mozzarella, mushrooms, onions, and green peppers.
Spinach - It is made only with the finest ingredients of spinach, shredded provolone cheese, onions, garlic, and basil. Enjoy!
Crustless -Our newest part of the deep-dish family, offers a 100% gluten free pizza. We use our lean sausage as a base, topped with fresh mozzarella and tomato sauce. Perfect for people who are gluten intolerant or low carb dieters.

This Pizzeria is the largest pizza shipper in the US, coast-coast for 2 decades. Their crust/pizza is handmade flash frozen to preserve the "out of oven freshness."

Feel like being bitten?
http://www.loumalnatis.com/

Dish - Have you ever said: "did I really do that?" He obviously missed the "don't drink and drive" talk with his parents.
http://www.tmz.com/videos?autoplay=true&mediaKey=2a4b868e-f536-4a9b-ac50-42a214cff63f

Embellish - NEVER, EVER, EVER, drink and drive - call a TAXI! (no pun intended.)

Food Hangover

Food - We have all experienced the hangover that comes from drinking too much, but have you experienced the hangover that comes from eating too much food, or the wrong kind of food? Well, I am here to tell you that they do in fact exist and I have one! Oh my gosh! I ate out of boredom, however I wasn't really bored. I ate out of excitement, however I wasn't really excited. I ate because I was hungry, although I never let myself really get hungry, so how did I know I was hungry? And I ate because...well, just cuz. I think I had a sugar hangover yesterday...that happens when you eat to much licorice, chocolate, gum, gummy worms, and the list goes on. As I ate all of these foods that I know they are not good for me; visions of clogged arteries and cellulite danced in my head - icky - not quite the sugar plums that fairy tales are made off! Today I woke up vowing to not to repeat this insanity, but you and I both know I probably will, not today, but a day will come...until then I will return to moderation
Does this sound familiar?

Dish - I read an article on Brittney Spears family re-united for her boys birthday party; yeah Britney! Those boys will thank her later for getting her life back to order again. With all the photos we have seen of no panties, etc. these photos are PG.
Of course being the "dishy" person I can be (if needed, of course) I can't help but wonder why Kevin isn't there?
http://popsugar.com/2015550

Embellish - Improve your oxygen level - go exercise. Just do it!

Memories - It's all about the food!

Food - The smell of the autumn weather, the whiff of a certain perfume, a trip to an antique store. All these things and many more can trigger memories from our childhood. It was a beautiful day out yesterday, so I took a drive to Rochester, MN. with a friend and we made frequent stops at the antique stores along the way. And of course, I am drawn to two sections; one is the book section (usually searching for a cookbook,) the other is the kitchen items. And I could not help but think of my grandmother, Hester, as my eyes grew bigger looking at all the cooking utensils, dishes, and hutches from yesteryear. I have such fond memories of her. I have to admit, most of them stem from the food she made us, the hutch that held all the ingredients, and the dishes she served them in. There were 3 things that grandma made me that I loved; oatmeal with raisins and brown sugar, rhubarb sauce and chocolate no-bake cookies. My only regret is that I never wrote down her recipe for the rhubarb sauce. I know there are many recipes out there, and I can come close, I just wish I had her exact recipe.
Memories - it's all about the food! Here is the recipe for the Chocolate No-Bake Cookies.

Grandma Hotchkiss' Chocolate No-Bake Cookies
Ingredients:
2 c. sugar
1/2 c. butter
1/2 c. milk
1/2 tsp. vanilla
5 Tbls. cocoa
3 c. oatmeal
1 c. shredded coconut

In a saucepan combine sugar, butter, milk & vanilla, bring to a boil and boil for 3 minutes - do not overcook. In a bowl mix, cocoa, oatmeal & coconut, pour liquid mixture over the dry ingredients and thoroughly mix by hand. Spoon by teaspoon onto waxed line cookie sheet and either cool on counter or in freezer.

What is your favorite childhood memory/recipe?

Dish - What a cast! Meg Ryan, Annette Benning, Eva Mendes, Debra Messing, Jada Pinkett Smith, Bette Midler, Candice Bergen, Cloris Leachman, Carrie Fisher....! The movie "The Women" is a remake of the 1939 version, which also had a stellar cast. I laughed a lot and spent a fair amount of time checking out the botox and face lifts. Did she, didn't she or should she?, kept going through my mind. Think what you want about Meg Ryan and her plastic surgery - I still think she is adorable and funny! I had heard bad reviews about this movie and almost didn't go to see it, boy am I ever glad I did!
Check it out: http://thewomenthemovie.com/index.html

Embellish - Dress for success! You will become what your think you are.

What's going on?

Food - Our relationship with food is a funny thing. Everyone in your family can, and often does, have a different idea about what food means to them. And there is usually a difference in the relationship depending upon if you are a male or a female. In our family the women tend to go for the fruits and vegetables (quality) and the men go for substance (quantity.) It is usually harder for women to maintain their weight than it is for men. Which makes you wonder, how are we gaining weight if we are eating fruits and vegetables? I think we all know that answer.... Back to the point I was going to make. I have a phrase I tell my daughter about weight and I will share it with you; "weight is fleeting." What?? Let me explain. Weight is like our mood, it can change rather quickly. One day we can be happy, the next day, we are sad. So it is with weight, one day we feel thin and we think "wow, I feel good, I even look hot." And then the next day, we feel like we gained 5 lbs overnight. How does that happen? Who knows. All we have to remember is; weight is fleeting - get over it!

Dish - What's going on? (I borrowed that line from the Joe Schmo Show that aired back in 2003.) That is what I thought when I heard the news on Wall Street - Dow Jones down more than 504 points! What's going on? It seems that every where look another conglomerate bites the dust or is in need of a bailout. Add that to the natural disasters that are taking place Louisiana, Houston, etc.. After the wake of destruction, we need to rebuild those communities, and we have to ask, where is all the money going to come from? Before we start running around yelling "the sky is falling, the sky is falling." Let's take a deep breath. Life is cyclic and we will get through this just as the generations before us have. We live in a great country! A country that shows generosity to those less fortunate, a country that is full of wonderful people who are willing to lend a hand to those in need, and do so with their hearts full of love for their fellow men and women. Together, we will get through this. That my friend is what's going on!

Embellish - To see the beauty of today, look no further than the faces that surround you!

Hello there

Food - Our oldest son can put away food with the best of them and has been known to be a human garbage disposal, although his physique doesn't show it. But the difference with him as opposed to most of us who over indulge is; he doesn't seem to have the addicted side of the food chain. He simply eats to fill the void. He certainly has a few favorite foods, but he doesn't go bonkers about them. Here is a favorite of his and a favorite as an appetizer at a party.

White Castle Burgers
Ingredients:
1 pkg. hawiian sweet rolls
1 lb hamburger
1 pkg lipton onion dry soup mix
2 T. mayo
1 pkg. shredded cheddar cheese
sliced hamburger dill pickles

Brown hamburger, add onion mix, cheddar cheese and mayo. Mix well. Slice buns, horizontally (like a hamburger bun) and put bottom layer back in original box. Put burger mixture on roll bottoms, add sliced pickles. Put tops of rolls back on. Cover box completely with aluminum foil (including the bottom) and bake 15 minutes at 350. Serve and enjoy!

Dish - Hello there...is anyone there? Do you ever feel as though no one is there when you are dealing with a customer service representative? I had that experience today as I tried to cancel a subscription. You go to their website and you can sign up, but you can't cancel. No of course not, you have to call them. Why? You ask. So that they can try and talk you out of cancelling. An automated system comes on and they ask you what you want to do, you answer cancel, they ask you if at the end of the call if you would care to take a short survey, to which you answer - no. Then that is when you get transferred to a "real" person, a customer service rep., and that is where they ask you 10 questions which makes you feel as though you are taking a survey that you didn't want to take in the first place. When you state this, they say "no you aren't taking a survey I am just trying to cancel you service." Hmmm... Anyhow, at the end they ask you if you want to have a reduced price for 3 months, if you want 3 months free (you have to call after 3 months to cancel though, so nothing is free) and the list goes on. NO, you say. And then this is what gets me (are you ready?) they ask me if I would be willing to take a survey? Hello are you there??? When I answer NO! They hang up on me. So much for customer service.

Embellish - Some days it is harder than others to get our minds in the right direction. Abraham Lincoln once said: "People are as happy as they make up their minds to be." Today, that is the mantra I will hold onto.

You can have "Buns of Steel"

Food - I feel a little like a politician! Now that I have your attention, what I really meant to say was; here is a great recipe for some Buttermilk Cinnamon Rolls. This recipe is super easy! No making them the night before, letting them rise, etc. They can literally be made in a matter of 45mins. I made these for "girls weekend," - this is the only info from girls weekend that will be divulged - and they loved them, I think you will too!

Buttermilk Cinnamon Rolls
~Ingredients
3 small tubes buttermilk biscuits, cut into quarters
2/3 c.. sugar
2 tsp cinnamon
1 c. brown sugar
1 1/2 stick margarine

Preheat oven to 350.
Put the 2/3 c sugar and cinnamon in zip lock baggie, small paper bag or bowl. Add buttermilk biscuits and shake until thoroughly coated. Take the coated biscuits out of bag and layer in bundt pan.
Melt brown sugar and margarine in small pan, pour evenly over biscuits.
Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes and flip over onto serving dish.
* I use more cinnamon, cuz I like it.

Dish - After you eat these rolls, check this video out. It shows we are all human. Or if the music moves you, it's got a catchy tune....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpYQSZkTsyk

Embellish - To make beautiful again! The bridge can be restored, but the path of destruction cannot. Upon the opening of I-35W remember the lives of those lost and injured in the tragedy.
http://projects.dot.state.mn.us/35wbridge/

Ah, the smell!

Food - ah, the smell of beef roast, potatoes and carrots in the oven...on a cool, damp, rainy day - nothing better! This is just one example that preparing food doesn't have to be complex in order to taste good. And "being a good cook" is not hard to be.

What is your favorite, easy, rainy day meal?

Dish - I think the reason Rachel Ray became such a food icon to so many people - other than her cute face and sunny personality - is because she can inspire all of us to become "a good cook." Most of her recipes are easy, hence the name, 30 minute meals.

Embellish - read a good book. - stimulate your brain.

Food is my friend

Food - Our middle child loves to eat, always has. When our son was young, 8 or 9, he used to say; "food is my friend." We used to just laugh (you would have to see his cute face and his Elmer Fudd talk) in order to laugh along. This later proved to be true as he was the only child out of 3 that I gained 60lbs with. I'm sure he enjoyed it, me not so much.

I think most of us have a love - hate relationship with food. I love watching the Food Network Channel! I love the look, feel and taste of food, but don't care much for some of the side effects of; making the wrong food choices, over indulgence, etc.

Dish - Listening to all of the press on the Presidential Race can be a little over whelming at times. And it strikes me as being very funny when Paris Hilton's response to John McCain's advertisement, a few weeks back, makes sense. I have to replay it just to get a chuckle! Democrat, Republican, Independence...I'm just trying to matter.

Keep all the people who are preparing to leave Texas before Ike hits in your thoughts!

Embellish - I mowed my lawn today and it is beautiful! Find your silver lining today.

Remember 9/11/2001

Remember! Today it is only right that I change the order of the subjects that I list on the blog and change the word "dish" to remember.

Remember - Today is the 7th anniversary of 9/11/2001. A day that many of us cannot, or do not, want to forget. A day in which "life" as we knew it changed forever! I recently went to New York City and stayed at a hotel across from the site where this event took place. I was humbled by the surroundings. If you have not been there - you should go! The descruction that was caused, not only to the earth, but the descruction that was thrust upon the innocent people who either lost their lives or for those who were left behind to mend their broken hearts. As I visited the church next to the site where many of these people, fire fighters, volunteers, etc. went to either seek shelter, rest, eat, cry, hug, tend to the injured (the list goes on,) tears streamed down my face and the faces of those around me. My heart and prayers go out to all of you who were injured or have lost loved ones. We remember! Visit the site below.
http://www.911-remember.com/

Food - My favorite dish this summer has been the Caprese Salad. This dish consists of tomatoes, mozzerella cheese, fresh basil, olive oil and balsamic vinegar. This dish is simple, yet full of flavor. Most people eat it as a side dish, I tend to eat it as a meal. Nothing is better than organic, fresh, home grown tomatoes purchased at your local Farmers Market! While you are at the Farmers Market - grab some fresh basil too. The color is more vibrant, the smell...the flavor, you get the idea.

Caprese Salad
3 tomatoes
1 lb. fresh mozzerella
10 fresh basil leaves
Olive oil
balsamic vinegar
salt and pepper
Slice tomatoe and Mozzerella 1/4"thick, alternate on plate, drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Salt and pepper, if desired. Enjoy!

Embellish - Hug someone today!